Eamon Zayed netted a first-half double as Drogheda United cruised to a win against Finn Harps in Ballybofey.
Zayed scored either side of a Guy Bates tap-in as Drogs lifted
themselves up to third with the win.
Stephen Parkhouse's 67th minute penalty wasn't enough to inspire a comeback from Harps, who had Neil McCafferty sent off on 64 after collecting a second yellow card.
A poor defensive display cost Harps dearly as Drogheda took full
advantage of the slackness and put the game to bed in the first period for a win that moves them up to third spot.
The home team started with a spring in their step and carved out the first chance of the game inside the opening minute, but Chris Breen was unable to keep his shot on target.
Parkhouse and Breen then combined to tee up David Tyrell, who lost his footing at the vital moment while Shaun McGowan forced Jamie Ewings into saving his glancing header on 18 minutes.
A minute later, the visitors broke the deadlock. Harps didn't avert
the danger on the edge of the are and the loose ball was hammered home by Eamon Zayed.
Four minutes later, with Harps still reeling from the concession of
the goal, their defensive frailties were exposed once again when
Cahill was allowed to canter up the left flank to centre for Guy
Bates, who tapped home number two.
And it was to get worse for the stunned home side when Zayed shot high into the net from a Richie Baker cross on 33 minutes.
With Harps exposed at the back, the Drogs could have added a fourth before half-time, but Cahill shot wide after Shelly's cross wasn't cut out.
Michael Funston came close to giving the home support something to cheer about, but his cracking effort from 20 yards was deflected wide.
Just after the hour, Harps were reduced to ten men when McCafferty was shown a second yellow for a foul in the middle of the park.
The hosts did pull one back when Parkhouse blasted home from the spot after Breen was brought down by Joe Kendrick. It wasn't enough to set up a grandstand finish, although Harps did have a couple of good chances with Breen and Mukendi going close.
