Andrew Wogan denied Bohemians a first away league win in five attempts as Declan Devine's team slipped outside the top four in a further dent to their hopes of European football in 2024.
While Bohs still are in the hunt for FAI Cup glory, two points dropped at Weavers Park saw them leapfrogged in the league table by Shelbourne.
Gary Deegan won two League of Ireland Premier Division titles and an FAI Cup with Bohemians in 2008 and 2009. He faced his old club in his 100th appearance for Drogheda, who he captained.
Unlike the Gypsies, United are not in the mix for silverware as the season reaches its climax but they were keen to avoid a fifth defeat of the season to their visitors from Phibsborough.
While Devine’s team had won on the banks of the Boyne seven days previously in their FAI Cup quarter-final, they were without an away league victory in nine attempts. Their last had come at Weavers Park almost five months ago to the day.
Their two-goal matchwinner from last week, Jonathan Afolabi, almost put Bohs in control early in the match. He met a Jordan Flores superb, dropping cross with a first-time shot that Wogan saved at point-blank range.
Deegan’s one-time midfield understudy James Clarke was the next man to threaten the home goal. His strike from the edge of the area was tipped over by the 17-year-old goalkeeper.
Another youngster, Matthew O’Brien, was making his first league start for Drogheda as Kevin Doherty tried to ensure his team did not cede the midfield battle as they had done a week earlier in their Cup exit. It worked to an extent but the visitors threat was greater throughout the first half.
Wogan was again called into action to deny Flores after a back-to-front break. Darragh Markey’s penalty appeal had been waved away just seconds earlier.
Drogheda had the ball in the net but Adam Foley was denied a first goal in seven outings by an offside flag. Afolabi again forced a save from Wogan, but his second effort required something more routine from the shotstopper.
Foley had Drogheda’s best chance of the game when his goalbound effort was hacked clear by Krystian Nowak but Wogan made the game’s decisive contributions. He saved again from Afolabi in the second half but the away side ultimately ran out of steam.
Drogheda supporters will soon get the opportunity to have their say on the proposed investment of American investment firm Trivela Group. The clubs delayed AGM was finally held on Thursday evening and the club expect to put proposals to members within the next week.
Major investment would be game-changer for a club like United, where means and ambitions so starkly contrast. For now, staying in the top flight is their major concern.
Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Luke Heeney, Conor Keeley, Evan Weir, Conor Kane; Gary Deegan, Matthew O’Brien; Adam Foley (Darragh Noone, 85), Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney; Ryan Brennan.
Bohemians: James Talbot; Keith Buckley, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Jordan Flores; Adam McDonnell (John O’Sullivan, 84), James McManus; Dylan Connolly (Danny Grant, 77), James Clarke, Ali Coote (Declan McDaid, 77); Jonathan Afolabi.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
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