A two goal salvo in a four minute spell midway through the second half saw Shamrock Rovers consolidate their position at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division.

Lowly Drogheda battled gamely throughout and were ironically enjoying their best spell of the match when the Hoops struck twice to secure the points.

Rovers began the match in assured fashion and as early as the third minute James Chambers drove down the right and pulled the ball across for Gary Twigg who drove his shot narrowly over.

Michael Daly then nicked the ball from Twiggs toe as he was about to pull the trigger and Stephen Bradley’s volley was saved by Robert Duggan.

Twigg had all the time in the world but rushed his shot and miskicked as the ball rolled back harmlessly to Duggan.

It was quarter of an hour before Drogheda moved out of their half when Paul Crowley met Peter McMahons cross only to see his header from distance sail over the bar.

As the Hoops continued to dominate a swift break on the right wing by Stephen Bradley saw him send a dangerous low cross into the box, however, it was a fraction behind Twigg who still managed to connect but send the ball wide.

With the interval looming Chambers whipped another fine delivery towards the far post and with Twigg looming Corey Treacy crucially got his head on the ball to send it out for a corner.  Bradley took the kick which Aidan Price met only to see his glancing header fall only just the wrong side of the post.

The league leaders took up where they left off at the start of the second half as Paddy Kavanagh picked up possession and drove towards goal before unleashing a pile driver that Duggan did really well to tip over.

In a rare sortie forward Eric McGill sent John Flood away however he failed to trouble Alan Mannus sending his shot straight at the net minder.

Just beyond the hour debutant Conor Sinnott won possession thirty-five yards from goal and sent a wonderful ball towards goal which Mannus at full stretch pushed to safety.

Rovers eventually broke the deadlock with sixty-eight minutes gone and the goal was simplicity itself as Billy Dennehy made progress down the left before sending the ball into Gary Twigg who ghosted through the middle to guide the ball to the net.

Four minutes later the visitors sealed their win when Billy Dennehy pulled on a loose ball just inside the box to send it past Duggan.

The gloss was slightly taken off Rovers victory in the closing stages after Robert Bayly was booked for a second time and made the walk of shame for an early shower.   

Drogheda United: Duggan, Treacy, McNally, McGill, Sinnott (McNamara 75), Crowley, Flood (Fitzpatrick 75), Osborne, Daly, Brennan, McMahon (Meenan 75). 

Shamrock Rovers:  Mannus, Chambers, Price, Murray, Stevens, Kavanagh (O’Connor 77), Bradley (Rice 75), Bayly, Dennehy, Twigg (Murphy 86), Stewart. 

Referee:  A. Buttimer (Cork)