Gary Twigg came to Shamrock Rovers rescue yet again when he struck for a precious winner in the 81st minute to secure three precious points for his side at the same time keeping their championship ambitions alive.

It was rough justice on Drogheda who deserved at least a share of the spoils from a match they dominated for long spells. Indeed their misfortune on the night was confirmed right at the end when only the woodwork prevented the home side from forcing a draw.

With seven minutes gone Drogheda won a free twenty five yards from goal which James Chambers clipped round the wall but into the arms of keeper Barry Murphy.

Excellent work by Jamie Duffy out on the right saw him skip past a couple of players before sending a low dangerous ball across the six yard line which Murphy smothered with Shan Barrett looming large.

It was twenty four minutes before Rovers created anything resembling an opportunity and then in the space of sixty seconds Gary Twigg wasn't far away twice from opening their account. Firstly Pat Flynn's pass sent him clear but as net minder Paul Skinner raced from his line he lifted his effort wide. Shortly afterwards Shane Robinson's delivery picked him out once more however on this occasion Twigg drove his shot wide.

With ten minutes to go to the break Murphy was pressed into action again making by far his most important an impressive stop of the opening half when he somehow managed to claw Duffy's goal bound effort to safety.

Just before the whistle United threatened again as Chambers played a neat one two with Eric McGill only to see his shot stopped by the busiest man on the park Murphy.

Rovers upped their game right from the off in the second half as Pat Sullivan's cross picked out Robinson whose header came off Skinner's shoulder before he gathered it at the second time of asking. Tadgh Purcell's fine ball into the box was crying out for the merest touch to send it home but unfortunately there was no one in a hooped shirt to apply the finish.

Despite the visitors positive start it was Drogheda who again created the better chance on 58 minutes when Chambers long ball from defence found Duffy who turned his marker brilliantly before shooting towards the bottom right hand corner but yet again Murphy got down to save.

As the half wore on Rovers began to assert themselves and just past the hour mark Twigg made a yard on the home defence but shot weakly and straight at Skinner. Ten minutes later Stephen Bradley's free picked out Aidan Price however he saw his header pushed onto the bar and out for a corner by Skinner. Bradley swung over the resulting kick for Craig Sives who powered his header wide.

At the other end Ross Gaynor clipped the ball in behind the Rovers defence for Duffy who with only the keeper to beat made a mess of the chance rushing his shot when he had far more time to compose himself.

Nine minutes from time Rovers won it when Ollie Cahill crossed from the left for ace poacher Twigg who guided the ball to the net. Right on the ninety minute mark Sives header was headed from the line by Brendan McGill as Rovers were denied a second that would have made over nine added minutes comfortable.

And Drogheda almost took the point they probably deserved in the eight additional minute when James Chambers free came back off the inside of the post with Murphy beaten all ends up.

Drogheda United: Skinner, Ryan (Bates 88), Gibb, Kenna, McNally, McGill E, McGill B, Chambers, Duffy, Barrett (Martin 63), Gaynor.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy, Flynn, Sullivan, Price, Sives, Cahill, Robinson, Rice, Johnston (Bradley h/t), Purcell, Twigg (Cowan 90).

Referee: A. Buttimer (Cork).