A blistering spell at the start of the second half when they scored twice in the space of five minutes saw St Patrick's put an awful first half performance firmly behind them and at the same time give themselves every chance of avoiding the relegation play off going into the final week of the season.

It was an amazing turnaround as Drogheda totally dominated the opening forty-five minutes but could only muster a single goal for all their efforts.

With their first attack United hit the front when Eric and Brenda McGill combined out on the right for the latter to whip a cross into the box which James Chambers cushioned past keeper Brendan Clarke.

It should have been two nil just six minutes later when Brian King rose unchallenged to meet Chambers corner but with the goal at his mercy he headed wide.

Despite the fact that the home side totally dominated the half Pats had their moments especially in the final fifteen minutes when Stuart Byrne could have had a hat-trick.

First he burst through the middle but drove his shot wide. Next he was denied by net minder Paul Skinner who got down well to push his effort round the post. Before finally guiding his header from an Enda Stevens delivery inches wide.

Pats were a different proposition right from the off in the second half as they rattled the woodwork twice in the space of sixty seconds in the opening minutes. Mark Quigley's drive was tipped onto the post by Skinner and Jason Gavin's header from Steven's corner came back off the woodwork.

The inevitable equaliser came on 49 minutes when Gareth O'Connors cross was met by former home favourite Declan O'Brien who sent his header home.

Five minutes later the Saints went in front following a neat one two between O'Brien and Ryan Guy which Guy drove brilliantly to the top corner from an acute angle.

The visitors should have made the points safe well before the end as O'Brien's header rebounded off the inside of the post and Bobby Ryan scooped his close range effort over when another goal appeared odds on.

Late on Brian King almost nicked a point for the home side when he wasn't far away with his strike. And the game ended in heated fashion with James Chambers receiving his marching orders after he became involved in an incident with Ryan Guy.

Drogheda United: Skinner, Ryan, Osborne (Bates 82), Kenna, McNally, Crowley (Shiels 69), Chambers, McGill E, McGill B (Martin 75), King, Gaynor.

St. Patrick's Athletic: Clarke, O'Connor, Quigley, Lynch, Gavin, Guy, Byrne, Ryan, O'Brien (Fitzpatrick 86), Partridge, Stevens.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)