Drogheda United 1-2 Bohemians

Drogheda native Killian Brennan snatched a dramatic 94th-minute winner from the penalty spot as Bohemians stunned champions Drogheda United at United Park tonight.

The Gypsies dominated for long spells in the game but seemed to have paid the price for poor finishing when Ollie Cahill grabbed a scrappy equaliser in the 73rd minute.

However, the home side were pushed back in the closing stages after having Stuart Byrne sent off and Bohs nicked all three points one minute from the end of stoppage time.

The clubs’ four meetings last season produced only four goals and this game began in similar, cagey fashion.

Indeed, the only talking point of note in the opening 20 minutes was a half-volley from Drogheda striker Eamon Zayed which flew narrowly wide.

Bohemians forced a couple of corners in quick succession, but Drogheda goalkeeper Jamie Ewings – continuing in goal despite the return from illness of Mikko Vilmunen – was totally untroubled.

Drogheda were not much more convincing going forward, but they enjoyed a good 10-minute spell midway through the half, starting when Joe Kendrick headed straight at Bohs 'keeper Brian Murphy from Brian Shelley’s cross.

Then Paul Keegan’s left-footed strike trundled wide after a length-of-the-field move involving four players.

However, Bohs ended the half strongly, with JP Kelly and Owen Heary going close before the visitors broke the deadlock in the last minute of normal time. Referee Alan Kelly blew for a foul following an aerial challenge between Gavin and Jason Byrne, and Brennan curled a superb 25-yard free-kick to the top corner.

An error by Ewings almost gifted Bohs a second goal within two minutes of the restart.

His clearance kick landed at the feet of Brennan, whose looping cross was headed narrowly wide by Byrne.

And Brennan was the creator again when Liam Burns sent a powerful header goal-wards, only for Ewings to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.

Jason Byrne wasted a great chance for the visitors when put clean through on goal by Burns, but the striker blazed over the bar.

Out of nothing, the Boynesiders were level in the 73rd minute. Keegan’s ball in from the right was flicked on by towering striker Ibrahima Iyane Thiam, just on for Aidan O'Keefe, into the path of Cahill.

Bohs right-back Heary appeared to have the Drogheda player covered, but Cahill let fly and the ball deflected off the defender and looped into the net.

Stuart Byrne – who was apparently booked immediately after the half-time whistle – received a second yellow for a late tackle on JP Kelly four minutes from the end.

Then Brennan dramatically struck his second of the game from the spot after Ewings had pulled down Glen Crowe, leaving the Drogs empty-handed.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Ewings, Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Cahill, Robinson, Byrne, Keegan, Kendrick, Zayed, O’Keeffe. Subs: Iyane Thiam for O’Keeffe (54min), O’Brien for Zayed (66min), Hughes for Kendrick (88min).

BOHEMIANS: Murphy, O Heary, McGuinness, Burns, Powell, Kelly, Rossiter, Cronin, Brennan, Byrne, Crowe. Subs: O’Donnell for Powell (71min), Fenn for Byrne (81min).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).