Substitute Sami Ristila rescued Drogheda with a second-half equaliser in a controversial thriller at United Park tonight.
The Boynesiders, without 14 first-team squad members, named four un-tried under-age players on their substitute’s bench, yet it was they who broke the deadlock from the game’s first attack in the seventh minute.
Stuart Byrne’s long pass out of defence was collected by Grant at pace. Grant brushed off his marker and got a touch ahead of on-rushing keeper Michael Devine, who appeared to bring down the striker in full flight.
Referee Damien Hancock only pointed to the penalty spot after checking with his linesman, and Shane Robinson stroked the spot kick past Devine.
Only a timely intervention by Dan Murray prevented the Drogs doubling their lead in the 12th minute, as Ollie Cahill chested down a Robinson cross and prepared to shoot.
But for much of the first half the home side were forced into a rearguard action, conceding six corners in the space of 30 minutes.
Murray had a header tipped over by keeper Mikko Vilmunen shortly after Drogheda’s goal, but Cork’s only other goal effort of note came in the 34th minute when Roy O’Donovan evaded the defence and shot narrowly wide with the outside of his right boot.
The Drogs, looked tired after their Setanta Cup exertions on Monday night. With the exception of their opening goal, they didn’t venture into the opposition box until first-half injury time when Stephen Bradley clipped a free kick over the Cork crossbar from 30 yards.
At half time Cork manager Damien Richardson entered the playing area and angrily confronted match officials over the awarding of Drogheda’s penalty, appearing to put a hand on fourth official Pat Whelan as the teams made their way to the dressing-rooms.
Devine was called into action within seconds of the restart when he advanced from his area to head clear of Zayed who had threatened to latch onto Graham Gartland’s long ball out of defence.
However, the warning signs were there for Doolin’s men when O’Donovan turned sharply in the box, only to fire wide, and in the 61st minute the highly-rated Cork striker got on the end of Joe Gamble’s cross and shot home from six yards.
Five minutes later the Leesiders completed an amazing turnaround when referee Hancock pointed to the spot following a tangle between O’Donovan and Vilmunen, and O’Donovan stroked the penalty past the Drogheda keeper.
