Drogheda United grabbed a last gasp 2-1 win against Shelbourne on Friday night in Tolka Park.
Drogheda opened the scoring when Cathal Brady pounced after Chris Bennion failed to hold Declan O’Brien’s free-kick. Shels equalised through Conan Byrne’s 30-yard screamer before Stephen Paisley was red carded for the home side.
The winner came in the final minute when Gavin Brennan found the net from the left after Eric Foley’s pass.
Neither side took control of the opening period which saw minimal chances created. Philip Gorman went close early on from Lorcan Fitzgerald’s cross.
Drogheda United put the first real opportunity together after seven minutes when Declan O’Brien played the ball through for Brady down the right. He crossed for Peter Hynes but the striker couldn’t get his header on target.
The away side made their advantage count when they took the lead after 12 minutes.
O'Brien fired a disputed 35-yard free-kick at goal which Bennion couldn't hold and Brady was on hand to fire low past the Shels keeper to give the visitors the lead from six yards.
Shelbourne almost got back on terms two minutes before the break. Paisley’s header from Paddy Kavanagh’s corner looked destined for the top corner but for a superb clearance off the line by Drogheda defender Alan Byrne to preserve the lead.
Drogheda could have doubled their lead just two minutes in the second half.
Hynes flicked the ball through for O’Brien who ghosted past Paisley. He took the ball too far wide of the target, though, and his shot went harmlessly across the goal.
Drogheda continued to push and went even closer two minutes later. Shels midfielder John Sullivan pulled back Gavin Brennan and Philip Hand fired the resulting free-kick off the crossbar. Brady was unable to get the rebound on target.
Kevin Dawson had a volley superbly saved by Sava before Philip Hughes put the rebound from the resulting corner wide.
The equaliser arrived with sixteen minutes left. Dawson, Fitzgerald and Gorman linked up to set up substitute Conan Byrne and he fired a 35-yard rocket in the top left corner of Sava’s goal.
Drogheda United had a great chance to grab a winner seven minutes from time as Gavin Brennan set up his brother Sean but he somehow hit the crossbar from six yards.
More drama was to come as Shelbourne were reduced to ten men.
Paisley’s pull-back on the advancing Declan O’Brien on the edge of the penalty area was seen by referee Damien Hancock and he dismissed the Shels defender.
It didn’t stop there as Drogheda United grabbed a sensational last-gasp winner.
Foley fed Gavin Brennan down the left wing, he controlled before his cross-cum-shot found its way into the bottom corner of Bennion’s goal for the winner.
Shelbourne: Chris Bennion, Gareth Mathews, Stephen Paisley, Stephen Hurley, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh (Conan Byrne HT), Kevin Dawson, John Sullivan (Brian Shortall 61), David Cassidy, Philip Gorman (Andy Boyle 88), Philip Hughes.
Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava, Philip Hand, Derek Prendergast, Alan McNally, Conor McMahon, Cathal Brady (Sean Brennan 76), Paul Crowley, Alan Byrne (Eric Foley 80), Gavin Brennan, Declan O’Brien, Peter Hynes.
