Fahrudin Kudozovic repaid a slice of his transfer fee with the winning goal at Dalymount Park as Drogheda gave themselves a fighting chance of outright victory in their Champions League tie.
The Drogs looked unlikely winners when they fell behind in the first half, but hit back through Ollie Cahill before Kudozovic scrambled home their second goal.
Dan Connor made his first appearance of the season between the sticks for the Drogs following a serious hip injury, but Declan O’Brien had to settle for a place on the bench as manager Paul Doolin opted for Fahrudin Kudozovic as a lone striker.
The teams cancelled each other out initially, but even in the early stages Drogheda looked uneasy in defence, with Connor and Shaun Maher in particular making unforced errors.
At the other end, Kuduzovic struggled to make an impression, even with Ollie Cahill and Richie Baker ever willing to support him from midfield.
Connor made a confidence-boosting save in the 19th minute when Tarmo Kink tried to surprise him at his near post, but there was little the keeper could do to prevent the Estonians taking a 27th-minute lead.
Graham Gartland handed possession on a plate to Kink who accelerated past the on-rushing Connor before finding the empty net.
Two minutes later Connor had to make a smart save from Nikita Andreev as the Drogheda defence briefly went to pieces, and further individual errors could have led to further Levadia goals before half time.
A small section of the crowd made their voices heard as Drogheda boss Paul Doolin headed for the dressing-rooms at the break, demanding a more attacking approach.
And while there were no changes in personnel, the Boynesiders had an extra spring in their step after the restart. Crucially, they made it count in the 50th minute when Stuart Byrne’s delightful cross from the right was met by Ollie Cahill who sent a bullet header in off the underside of the bar.
Doolin chose that moment to bring on another striker, Eamon Zayed, as Paul Keegan was replaced, but Levadia nearly grabbed a second goal when Kink ghosted into the box, only to be foiled by Gartland’s superb block.
Instead it was Drogheda who got their noses in front on 69 minutes when Baker’s free kick bounced back off the post and Kudozovic bundled the rebound over the line from close range.
DROGHEDA UNITED – Connor, Byrne, Maher, Gartland, Kendrick, Baker, Robinson, Hughes, Keegan, Cahill, Kudozovic. Subs: Zayed for Keegan (51min).
LEVADIA TALLINN – Kaalma, Sisov, Kalimullin, Lemsalu, Teniste, S Puri, Nahk, Petrenko, Malov, Kink, Andreev. Subs: Leitan for S Puri (67min), Marmor for Petrenko (82min).
Referee – G Rossi (San Marino).
