There was late drama aplenty at Weavers Park but Sean Boyd's late goal was overshadowed by an incident which saw assistant referee Dermot Broughton struck by an object thrown from the away section.
Boyd’s 94th minute header ultimately rescued a point for Shelbourne but the match was almost immediately halted after Broughton was hit. The visiting fans lit up their stand with flares when Boyd put the ball in the net and Brougton needed instant attention.
Referee Rob Hennessy paused the game and then took the teams off the field as the official was medically assessed. After 15 minutes, he returned – but to the other side – as the game’s final moments played out.
United looked to have condemned Damien Duff’s leader leaders to a first defeat of the season. Evan Weir’s free kick – his third such goal of the campaign was deflected off Boyd’s head, leaving Conor Kearns stranded.
Boyd headed in Tyreke Wilson’s cross before the shameful incident that once again puts the spotlight on supporter conduct and the use of flares in grounds.
Drogheda were without Andrew Wogan for the first time since he made his league debut 10 months ago. The teenager goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury in training meaning South African international Jethren Barr was handed a first league start.
With goals proving hard to come by for the Drogs, Kevin Doherty’s decision to leave both Zishim Bawa and Frantz Pierrot on the bench underlines their personal struggles. Ryan Brennan, a former Shels player and occasional thorn in the side of Damien Duff’s team, lead the line.
Duff himself shuffled his pack after last weekend’s double duty. Kameron Ledwidge, Dean Williams and John Martin were brought in. The latter scored a dramatic late winner against Drogheda in the Louth derby last season.
A burgeoning rivalry developed between these sides in recent years but Shels’ ascent to the summit, while Drogheda languish towards the foot of the table, means the Reds’ might feel they have bigger fish to fry than those on Boyneside these days.
That potential easing of tensions was evident in the early stages as Drogheda enjoyed a strong opening. Gary Deegan, debuting a shaved head look, had a shot easily held by Conor Kearns.
Shel had their own glimpse of goal shortly before the opener. Excellent work from Dean Williams preceded Liam Burt teeing up Coyle but his shot was gathered by Barr.
Drogheda’s opener was Oisin Gallagher’s first in claret-and-blue. Ryan Brennan found Adam Foley and he moved infield. A weak Gavin Molloy challenge didn’t do much to stop him and he pulled the ball back.
From the edge of the area, the on-loan Lincoln City midfielder scored his first goal in league football with a side foot finish low to Kearns’ right.
A quick break up field by the pacy Warren Davis had United on the cusp of a second but Brennan’s shot was blocked by Kameron Ledwidge.
The home side looked reasonably comfortably and were dealing with the Shels threat until the league leaders drew level just prior to the break.
Mark Coyle started and finished the move. He won the loose ball in midfield, controlling it and shrugging off Darragh Markey in one movement. He flicked the ball over Jack Keaney and then beat both Hayden Cann and Barr to the dropping ball.
The Donegal man produced an excellent finish, firing into the net with his laces.
Weir had the Drogs back in front – marking the first time so far this year Shels had shipped two goals – before Boyd and the incident ensured the headlines required a late, late rewrite.
Drogheda United: Jethren Barr; Andrew Quinn, Jack Keaney, Hayden Cann, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, Oisin Gallagher; Adam Foley, Darragh Markey (Matthew O’Brien, 87), Warren Davis; Ryan Brennan Killian Cailloce, 68).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Tyreke Wilson, Paddy Barrett, Gavin Molloy, Kameron Ledwidge (Shane Farrell, 75); Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey, 79), JJ Lunney; Liam Burt (Keith Ward, 80), John Martin (Sean Boyd, 67), Will Jarvis; Dean Williams (Matty Smith, 75)
Referee: Rob Hennessy
