Sligo will be the happier with this third draw of the season between these sides even though they came from a goal down before hitting the front only to see their advantage wiped out eight minutes from time as Drogheda struck for a crucial equaliser.

A lively start saw both sides push forward seeking the opening goal and it was the visitors who almost broke the deadlock on nineteen minutes when Matthew Blinkhorn found a yard on his marker only to see his shot stopped by keeper Steve Williams.

Drogheda then hit the front from the penalty spot in the 21st minute when Martin Camano needlessly took down Robbie Martin and James Chambers stepped up to rattle the net.

The home side's joy was short lived however as Sligo deservedly drew level seven minutes later when Brian Cash broke on the right and crossed for Danny Ventre who capitalised on terrible hesitancy in the home defence to fire his shot in off the underside of the bar.

Rovers would have gone in ahead at the break but for the alertness of Williams between the posts who raced out and got down smartly at the feet of Blinkhorn.

The second half trundled along aimlessly until Sligo made the first substitution of the night introducing Owen Morrison just past the hour. Within three minutes the new man worked the oracle as he latched onto a through ball from Rafael Cretaro before cracking a fine shot beyond Williams.

Drogheda pushed for an equaliser which appeared unlikely until eight minutes from time when Brendan McGill's corner was half cleared to Scott Gibb who rifled an unstoppable volley home from just inside the box.

Drogheda United: Williams, Gibb, Clarke (Farrell 76), Kenna, McNally, McGill E (Shiels 68), McGill B, Chambers, Duffy, Martin, Gaynor.

Sligo Rovers: Brush, Keane, Kendrick, Peers, Camano (Ryan 70), O'Grady, Cash, Ventre, Blinkhorn, Cretaro (Marshall 87), Doyle (Morrison 62).

Referee: N. Doyle (Dublin)