St Pat's and Drogheda played out their third scoreless league draw of the season by the banks of the Camac River as a penalty by the Spurs-bound Mason Melia was saved by visiting keeper Luke Dennison.
Drogheda came to Inchicore with just three defeats from their 19 games this season but just one win in five before the international break and were thankful to keeper Dennison, and indeed the woodwork, as they left Richmond Park with a hard-fought point, their tenth draw of the season.
Drogheda enjoyed some decent early pressure on the home defence without really penetrating, a nice one-two between Douglas James-Taylor and Warren Davis saw the latter’s curling left-foot shot saved by Joe Anang.
Having survived what Drogs had thrown at them, Saints then almost scored from their first attack as Jason McClelland’s corner was headed just wide by Tom Grivosti in the 17th minute.
The miss galvanised St Pat's, who were awarded a penalty when Taylor stood on the Achilles of Kian Leavy, right on the edge of the area, just past the midway point of the opening half.
The tackle looked marginally outside, but referee Kevin O’Sullivan immediately pointed to the spot.
However, Dennison guessed right, diving away to his left to deny Melia and keep it scoreless at half time
Three minutes into the second half, United very nearly took the lead as Taylor, set up by Ryan Brennan, swivelled beautifully in the St Pat's area, but dragged his shot wide, while at the other end Zach Elbouzedi missed a great chance for the home side when he shot straight at Dennison from the edge of the area.
Melia’s curling effort then just missed the far post as St Pats turned up the heat on the away goal. Dennison was called into action again, acrobatically saving Simon Power’s header from Ryan McLoughlin’s cross.
The home side's onslaught continued as Leavy then hit the post in a goalmouth scramble in the 50th minute.
Both managers began to empty their respective benches as the second half wore on and it took the sting out of the game, Drogheda dealing well with the St Pats attack despite the home side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.
Some in the home support thought St Pats had scored in the 76th minute, as McClelland's deflected shot hit the side netting, much to the amusement of the Drog’s travelling support.
Taylor then tested Anang with a shot that was dipping under the crossbar until the home keeper tipped it over for a corner, which was in truth the last real action of the contest before its inevitable conclusion.
St Patrick's Athletic: Joseph Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Anto Breslin; Zach Elbouzedi (Jake Mulraney 61) Jason McClelland, Jamie Lennon, Simon Power (Conor Carty 87); Kian Leavy (Brandon Kavanagh 67); Mason Melia (Aidan Keena 67).
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Owen Lambe, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise 63); Luke Heeney (Shane Farrell 56), Darragh Markey, Ryan Brennan, Frank George Cooper; Warren Davis (Thomas Oluwa 56), Douglas James-Taylor.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)
Attendance: 4,139.
