Substitute Neale Fenn saved Bohemians’ blushes with an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time to break battling Drogheda United’s hearts at United Park.
Alan Mathews’ men led from the 34th minute thanks to a fine strike by James Chambers, and they defended their lead brilliantly in the second, but after forcing a series of corners in injury time Bohs snatched a precious point.
The Boynesiders made a bright start and Shane Barrett sent a 30-yard drive flashing past Brian Murphy’s left-hand upright in the third minute.
But the best opportunity of the first 20 minutes fell to Bohemians when Jason Byrne received the ball in space on the right flank and his near-post cross was diverted wide by Joseph Ndo.
Both sides struggled in the slippery conditions, and Drogheda almost profited from uncertain defending from the visitors on 26 minutes. Brendan McGill’s cross was flicked back into his path by Barrett and the former Bohs player stabbed the ball goalwards, only for Ken Oman to boot off the line.
Two minutes later, Killian Brennan saw his volley blocked by the head of Drogheda right-back Ian Ryan, and the interception was typical of the home side’s well-organised defensive unit.
A shock result looked to be on the cards when the Boynesiders struck in the 34th minute. Brian King played a neat one-two with Robbie Clarke on the left touchline before sending a low cross into the path of James Chambers who beat Brian Murphy with an excellent finish.
Bohs responded with a little more urgency, and Paddy Madden headed wide from a Paul Keegan corner, before Jason Byrne’s long-range strike was blocked by Paul Skinner in the Drogheda goal.
Manager Pat Fenlon replaced Madden with the more experienced Fenn at the break, and the visitors certainly looked more threatening in the early stages of the second half, although the first chance fell to Drogheda when Barrett completely miskicked a volley with only Murphy to beat.
Skinner was called into action to push a curling 30-yard Brennan free kick round the post, and from the resulting Bohs corner Byrne sent a header flashing narrowly wide of the target.
But Drogheda reasserted themselves and frustrated a Bohemians side who seemed to run out of ideas in the final third of the field.
The visitors did stage a mini-rally in the final 10 minutes, during which they forced a number of corners, and Drogheda left-back Robbie Clarke twice made crucial interventions to deny Brennan and Paul Keegan.
But after McGill had nearly doubled the home side’s lead and the clock had ticked 30 seconds past the allotted three minutes for stoppages, Bohs sub Neale Fenn smashed the ball past Skinner from close range to rescue a point for the champions.
Drogheda United: Skinner, Ryan, McNally, Kenna, R Clarke, King, Chambers, Shiels, B McGill, Duffy, Barrett. Subs: Bates for Barrett (80min)
Bohemians: B Murphy, A Murphy, Shelley, Oman, Powell, Ndo, Deegan, Keegan, Brennan, Byrne, Madden. Subs: Fenn for Madden (46min), Cronin for A Murphy (67min).
