Drogheda United and Shelbourne both had to settle for a point on as Evan Caffrey's free-kick cancelled out Freddie Draper's second-half header at Weavers Park.
For the majority of the game, Drogheda were superior to Damien Duff’s in-form visitors. They had arrived on Boyneside unbeaten in four games, while Drogheda were without victory in the same sequence.
The result leaves United yearning for a return to winning ways while preserving a positive Shels run.
Caffrey’s free-kick was his first for Shels since signing from UCD in the off-season. He will likely score more but few will be as memorable. It arrived after the excellent Draper had opened the scoring. Having hit just one in 11, he now has two in three days.
Shelbourne made three changes from the side that began Friday’s victory over Cork City at Tolka Park, with John Ross Wilson, Shane Griffin and youngster Kyle Robinson, making his first top-flight career start, named in the XI.
Only bottom side UCD had scored less than Drogheda and Shels’ 10 and 11 league goals respectively this season, although the teams had each scored two in their outing three evenings earlier. The three points plundered against Cork had at least catapulted the Reds into fourth place in the division.
The hosts offered a greater attacking threat than the visitors in a first half in which Dayle Rooney had a shot cleared off the line by Tyreke Wilson and Darragh Markey twice fizzed shots just over from range.
Shane Griffin also had to be alert to block Freddie Draper’s goalbound effort in the early stages.
Goalkeeper Colin McCabe easily claimed a couple of Evan Caffrey set-pieces delivered from dangerous areas but the only sight of his goal that Shels had came when Paddy Barrett optimistically tried to beat him with a free-kick taken inside his own half. The ball drifted harmlessly over.
The home team could, and perhaps should, have had a penalty when Ryan Brennan received an apparent boot to the head when trying to reach a Rooney cross. Referee Rob Hennessy awarded a corner.
Drogheda continued to knock at Shels’ door. In injury time at the end of the first half, both Rooney and Draper had efforts off target. They didn’t have to wait long for an opener, however.
Draper notched his just four minutes after the break. Markey picked up Rooney’s short corner and clipped a cross into the box. On-loan Lincoln City man Draper directed a header low into the far corner.
Shels almost immediately hit back but Robinson’s header from substitute Jed Hadiki’s cross hit the inside of the post. At the other end, another Draper header met the same fate – but this time, cannoning off the crossbar.
The Shelbourne leveller came at the midway point of the second half. After Emmanuel Adeboyega fouled Robinson, Caffrey’s stunning free-kick from wide on the left restored parity.
Jack Moylan almost won it at the end but McCabe’s fine save ensured United held onto a point. It was the least they deserved.
Drogheda United: Colin McCabe; Elicha Ahui, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Conor Keeley, Aaron McNally; Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney; Dylan Grimes, Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney; Freddie Draper (Adam Foley, 90)
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; John Ross Wilson, Paddy Barrett, Luke Byrne (Andrew Quinn, 83), Shane Griffin, Kameron Ledwidge (Jed Hadiki, 46); Jonathan Lunney, Tyreke Wilson, Evan Caffrey; Jack Moylan; Kyle Robinson (Brian McManus, 83)
Referee: Rob Hennessy
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