Drogheda United 1-1 Galway United

Eamonn Zayed’s second half equaliser hammered another nail into the Premier Division status of Galway United tonight at United Park as this seemingly vital point, which Jeff Kenna’s side battled well for and in the process stretched their unbeaten run to four, was rendered insufficient by Finn Harps late winner at the Carlisle Grounds.

Galway’s fifth minute opener rocked the home side, as midfielder Jonathan Keane notched his first league goal for the club when he controlled a clearance with his chest and sent a dipping volley over Jamie Ewings from 25 yards out. It was a stunning strike and justified Kenna’s decision to stick with an unchanged side who have battled so valiantly for him over the last couple of weeks.

John Lester’s free went close to doubling the advantage but Ewings parried and claimed the ball at the 2nd attempt. Drogheda were second best for much of the first half, with only Shane Robinson’s near post effort that was blocked by Gary Rogers to show for their efforts.

They eventually sprung into action after the break, with efforts from Hughes, Zayed, and Kudozovic going close before Zayed stooped low to head in Richie Baker’s right wing cross on 62 minutes which brought Paul Doolin’s side level. It brought Zayed’s scoring run to three in three in the space of seven days.

It looked as if the home side would now surge on and capture all three points to move them within touching distance of third placed Derry City, but Galway dug deep in defence and could even have snatched a late winner when John Russell’s shot was thwarted by Ewings.

Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Brian Shelley, Shaun Maher, Graham Gartland, Joe Kendrick; Richie Baker, Paul Keegan, Shane Robinson, Ollie Cahill; Fahrudin Kuduzovic (Adam Hughes, 59), Eamon Zayed.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, John Tambouras, Darragh McNamara, Sami Ristila.

Booked: Shelley, Gartland, Robinson, Baker, Kuduzovic.

Galway United: Gary Rogers; Seamus Conneely, Alan Keane, John Fitzgerald, Marc McCulloch; Jonathan Keane (Alan Murphy, 63), Ciaran Foley, John Lester; Jay O’Shea, John Russell; Jesper Jorgensen.
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Levi Tierney, Derek Glynn.

Booked: None.

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,200 (estimate)