Drogheda United 0-1 Bohemians

Reigning champions Bohemians staved off a battling Drogheda performance to eke out a narrow victory, thanks to Anto Murphy’s first-half strike at United Park tonight.

The result leaves the Boynesiders still without a goal and rooted to the bottom of the table, but they can take encouragement from a big improvement in performance, following their heavy defeat by Dundalk last week.

Bohemians began in lethargic fashion, with their keeper Brian Murphy in particular earning the wrath of his manager for a series of poor clearances.

However, with just one striker in Drogheda’s starting line-up, the Gypsies were able to ride their luck, before finding another gear and eventually making their superiority count.

They broke the deadlock from their first serious attack in the 24th minute when Joseph Ndo shrugged off Gavin Whelan’s challenge and chipped towards the far post where Anto Murphy drove the ball past keeper Steve Williams with a sweet volley.

Drogheda almost replied instantly when a poorly defended John Paul Kelly free-kick dropped invitingly for Whelan, whose header drifted harmlessly wide. Then Ian Ryan got forward from the back and saw his 18-yard shot deflected behind for a corner.

The goal apart, Bohemians failed to test netminder Williams in the remainder of the first half, although Jason McGuinness ghosted forward in the 34th minute before pulling a long-range shot wide of the target.

Drogheda were then forced to substitute their sole striker Robbie Martin through injury, to be replaced by Robbie Farrell, although they had a half-chance in first-half stoppage time when Paul Crowley’s 20-yard effort failed to threaten the Bohemians goal.

Away fans expecting their favourites to raise their game at the start of the second half were disappointed, and Farrell pounced on a Ken Oman error before testing Murphy from just outside the box.

Owen Heary did fired wide from a rare Bohemians foray, but then Drogheda carved out their best move. Mark Duggan, Kelly and Paul Shiels were all involved before captain Alan McNally raided into the box and fired over the crossbar.

Farrell and substitute James Chambers both threatened the Bohs goal, but then Jason Byrne wasted a great chance for the visitors when he diverted Ndo’s corner over the bar from close range.

Heary and Oman went close with headers from set pieces, and Glen Crowe was denied by a fine save from Williams.

But Bohemians were by no means dominant and they endured some shaky moments in the closing stages. But when Whelan’s long-range free kick was deflected into the arms of Brian Murphy, Drogheda’s hopes of an equaliser were over.

Drogheda United: Williams, Whelan, McNally, Ryan, R Clarke, Kelly, Shiels, Crowley, Duggan, O’Connor, Martin. Subs: Farrell for Martin (35min), Chambers for Shiels (60min), King for O’Connor (77min).

Bohemians: B Murphy, Shelley, Oman, McGuinness, Heary, A Murphy, Deegan, Keegan, Ndo, Byrne, Crowe. Subs: Brennan for Byrne (66min).

Referee: Dave McKeon (Meath).