In a lively encounter where both sides wasted a number of chances it took an own goal to decide the contest eleven minutes from the end when Drogheda's Brendan McGill turned the ball into his own net to hand all three points to Cork on a night when a share of the spoils would have been just about right.

It took a fine stop by keeper Steve Williams from Billy Dennehy's powerful shot to prevent Cork taking the lead in the very first minute and as the visitors continued to dominate the early exchanges Danny Murphy pushed up from the back but saw his strike on goal deflected out for a corner.

With sixteen minutes gone City went close once more when Kevin Long met Dennehy's corner perfectly and was unfortunate to see his powerful header come back off the crossbar.

Almost immediately at the other end Drogheda created their first opportunity as Jamie Duffy sent Ross Gaynor in on goal, however, from a good position he drove the ball into the side netting.

As the half wore on it was United who enjoyed the better of matters and the home side should have broken the deadlock on two occasions.

Just before the half-hour mark Brendan McGill swung a corner in from the right which Ian Ryan guided towards the top corner but Gareth Cambridge was on the line to head clear.

Eight minutes from the break Gaynor raced away down the left and set up Guy Bates who sidestepped his marker brilliantly before sending his strike just the wrong side of the post.

Early on in the second half there were chances at either end as Duffy's attempted lob was saved by the alert Mark McNulty and Cambridge in the clear with only Williams to beat blasted over when he really should have scored.

With 61 minutes gone following sustained Drogheda pressure Cork broke swiftly as Davin O'Neill sent the ball into Fahrudin Kuduzovic who guided his header narrowly wide. How the game remained goalless for so long was a mystery and it was ironic that it was an own goal that eventually ended the stalemate.

United's right back James Chambers lost his footing allowing Dennehy pick up possession and send a low cross into the box that flew past the hapless Williams from the boot of the unlucky McGill.

Drogheda clearly stung by this reverse only once came close to an equaliser before the end when Bates saw his shot blocked by a Cork defender. The home sides disappointment was complete in stoppage time when Paul Shiels saw red for an off the ball incident.

Drogheda United: Williams, Chambers, Clarke, Kenna, Ryan, McGill E (Martin 83), McGill B, Shiels, Duffy, Bates, Gaynor.

Cork City: McNulty, Murphy, O'Halloran, Murray, Gamble, Kuduzovic, Dennehy, Lordan, O'Neill (Duggan 72), Long, Cambridge (Silagailis 67).

Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).