Defender Scott Gibb was the unlikely hero as he rescued a point for Drogheda United in an entertaining finish to this six-pointer against Sligo Rovers at United Park.
Fellow strugglers Sligo had come from behind to lead going into the final 10 minutes – thanks to goals from Danny Ventre and Owen Morrison - but Alan Mathews’ men staged a late rally and Gibb, one of the club’s summer signings, ensured the sides shared the spoils.
In a lively opening, Sligo created the first opportunity when Raffael Cretaro worked space for himself in the box and unleashed a low drive which was comfortably held by Steve Williams.
In the 12th minute it was Cretaro again who beat the offside trap off a Danny Ventre pass, but lost his balance and shot wildly over the crossbar.
Drogheda were struggling to gain a foothold in the game, but they did threaten in the 14th minute when Robbie Clarke exchanged passes with Jamie Duffy and centred for Robbie Martin who nodded wide at the near post.
Cretaro’s combination with Matthew Blinkhorn looked the more likely to produce a goal, though, and it was Blinkhorn who got on the end of a diagonal ball in by Alan Keane following a mistake by Scott Gibb in the Drogheda defence. Williams, though, proved equal to the task as he reacted smartly to push the big striker’s shot away.
Somewhat against the run of play, the home side grabbed the all-important lead on 21 minutes when Martin reacted quickest to Duffy’s ball into the six-yard area and was tripped from behind by Sligo centre-half Martin Camano.
Referee Neil Doyle immediately pointed to the spot, and James Chambers stepped forward to stroke the resulting penalty past Richard Brush.
But the lead lasted barely seven minutes as the visitors deservedly drew level on 28 minutes. Brian Cash was the instigator, dribbling down the right flank before delivering a fine cross into the path of Danny Ventre who drove to the net via the underside of the crossbar from 15 yards.
Drogheda’s next attack nearly produced a goal when a Ross Gaynor free kick was nodded over the bar by Martin, but from that moment until the interval the game deteriorated somewhat.
The Boynesiders in particular seemed over-anxious, but Sligo were unable to take advantage as they were repeatedly halted by the offside flag.
The 20 minute period after half-time was an instantly forgettable affair as both goalkeepers were reduced to spectators, while referee Doyle issued a flurry of yellow cards, but on 65 minutes Sligo got their noses in front when Cretaro laid the ball into the path of Morrison who shot low past Williams from 18 yards.
It seemed a long road back for Drogheda, who hadn’t threatened the Sligo goal once in the second half, but somehow they raised their game and forced a series of corners in quick succession.
And it was from one of those set pieces, in the 82nd minute, that the ball broke to Drogheda full-back Scott Gibb who rifled a superb left-footed volley high into the net from 12 yards.
Drogheda United: 1 Steve Williams; 2 Scott Gibb, 5 Alan McNally, 4 Conor Kenna, 3 Robbie Clarke (14 Robbie Farrell 76min); 7 Brendan McGill, James Chambers 8, 6 Eric McGill (15 Paul Shiels 68min), 11 Ross Gaynor; 9 Jamie Duffy, 10 Robbie Martin. Subs not used: 12 Guy Bates, 13 Brian King, 20 Paul Skinner. Booked: E McGill.
Sligo Rovers: 1 Richard Brush; 2 Alan Keane, 4 Gavin Peers, 5 Martin Camano (Richie Ryan 70min), 3 Joe Kendrick; 7 Brian Cash, 6 Conor O’Grady, 8 Danny Ventre, 11 Eoin Doyle (15 Owen Morrison 62min); 9 Matthew Blinkhorn, 10 Raffael Cretaro (13 Dean Marshall 86). Subs not used: 14 Rob Turner, 17 Ciaran Kelly. Booked: Keane, Kendrick, Peers.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
