St Patrick's Athletic moved onto 45 points and opened up a gap at the top of the Premier Division table following this victory over Drogheda United.

 

David McAllister and Derek Doyle supplied the goals for Pete Mahon's side as they delighted the home crowd at Richmond Park to collect their ninth home win of the season.

 

Having lost to Drogheda twice already in the league this year, St Pat's were fired up for this encounter as Shane Guthrie got up to meet Garreth O'Connor's cross on 7 minutes, but he was just off target with his header.

 

The home fans didn't have to wait too long for a goal though as McAllister unleashed a superb shot that Drogs keeper Robert Duggan couldn't do anything about.

 

Then Doyle made it 2-0 when a corner from O'Connor caused panic in the opposition's penalty area and the ball eventually found its way out to the winger, who blasted in from close range.

 

St Pat's kept the pressure on with McAllister seeing his header cleared off the line by Eoghan Osbourne and debutant Jamie O'Brien brought the best out of Duggan with his effort.

 

There should have been more goals for St Pat's with Guthrie, McAllister and Doyle all coming close late on, but they did enough to take the three points and pick up another win.

 

St Patrick's Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Guthrie, Kenna, Lynch (Bermingham HT); O'Brien (Mulcahy 72), O'Connor, McAllister, Doyle; North, P Byrne (Faherty 29). 

 

Drogheda United: Duggan; Hoey, Murphy, Daly, Osbourne (Kierans 73); McEnteggert, Ross, McMahon (Meenan 89); Brennan: Fitzpatrick (Woods 72), Flood. 

 

Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).