A second-half equaliser from top scorer Eamon Zayed rescued Drogheda United after Henrik Larsson’s goal had put Helsingborgs in the driving seat in this UEFA Cup second qualifying round first leg tie.
And it was nothing less than the Boynesiders deserved in a thrilling match at Dalymount Park.
Larsson, who wore the captain’s armband for the Swedes, had some clever touches in the opening five minutes, yet the first keeper into action was Helsingborgs’ Daniel Andersson.
Shane Robinson intercepted Andreas Dahl’s pass and surged forward before unleashing a powerful 25-yard shot which Andersson could only parry.
Zayed seized on the rebound but was unlucky to see his header drop onto the roof of the bar.
Disaster almost struck seconds later when a total mis-kick by Graham Gartland was pounced on by Larsson, who quickly released Razak Omotoyossi.
He tried to dribble round Drogheda netminder Dan Connor, but was forced wide and then missed the target.
Drogheda replied with a fine move as Simon Webb and Zayed combined to release Sami Ristila, whose well-struck diagonal shot was well held by Andersson.
Connor was almost caught out by a looping Christoffer Andersson effort, which nearly sneaked under the bar, before the 'keeper reacted well to block Omotoyossi’s effort with his body.
Zayed then dispossessed Adama Tamboura in the centre circle and quickly released Baker, who opted to shoot from a wide position, allowing Andersson to make a comfortable save.
But it was the Swedes who broke the deadlock in classic counter-attack style.
The ball was quickly worked up the wing to Omotoyossi, and when he delivered an early cross, Brian Shelley slipped at a crucial moment, allowing Larsson time to pick his spot and fire decisively past Connor from 12 yards.
For a 15-minute spell either side of half time, the game seemed to take a breather, but it was Drogheda who raised the tempo once more in the 51st minute when Tony Grant – on as a half-time sub for Ristila – teed up Robinson, whose shot was blocked by a defender.
Three minutes later, the Boynesiders were right back in the tie when Baker’s cross caused confusion in the Helsingborgs defence and Zayed muscled his way through before sending a low shot past the out-stretched arm of Andersson.
Suddenly it was Drogheda winning all the corner kicks.
Andersson showed good hands to save a Gartland header on the line, and then the keeper did well to hold onto a powerful shot by Shelley, after a trademark run by the right-back.
Then Robinson should have put the Boynesiders ahead when the ball broke fortuitously to him 10 yards out, but he shot wide with only Andersson to beat.
If there was to be a winner, Drogheda looked the more likely, but they were almost undone by an 88th-minute sucker punch when Larsson’s skill led to a chance in the six-yard box for Omotoyossi who shot into the side netting, to the relief of Paul Doolin’s men.
DROGHEDA UNITED – Connor, Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Webb, Baker, Robinson, Byrne, Keddy, Zayed, Ristila. Subs: Grant for Ristila (46min), Cahill for Keddy (51min), Keegan for Baker (78min).
HELSINGBORGS – D Andersson, Wahlstedt, Jacobsson, Ronningberg, Tamboura, C Andersson, Mariga, Dahl, Svanback, Larsson, Omotoyossi.
Referee – Sten Kaldma (Estonia)
