New manager Bobby Browne almost inspired Drogheda United to an unlikely point against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

 

Eric McGill’s fortuitous 60th minute effort cancelled out Alan Keane’s first half penalty, as the visitors battled for a share of the spoils.

 

But a piece of brilliance from Gary McCabe secured a deserved win for Rovers, as the winger hammered home a stunning volley with just nine minutes left.

 

Rovers took the lead on 26 minutes, when Alan McNally’s trip on Matthew Blinkhorn in the area saw referee Damien Hancock point to the spot. Alan Keane stepped up to confidently dispatch the penalty.

 

Drogheda matched their high-flying opponents – who jumped to third in the Airtricity League Premier Division thanks to this win – for large parts of the first half, but the home side should have been two up on 51 minutes.

 

McCabe’s cross found John Russell clear in front of the posts, but his effort rose over the crossbar from close range.

 

This looked like it might prove costly when McGill’s floated delivery from the right deceived Rovers keeper John Gibson and found the net on the hour-mark.

 

But shortly after missing an excellent one-on-one opportunity, McCabe delivered the winner when he smashed Jim Lauchlan’s knockdown to the top corner.

 

Sligo Rovers: Gibson, Keane, Peers, Lauchlan, Davoren, Boco (Dillon HT), Ryan, Russell, Ndo, McCabe, Blinkhorn (Doyle 77).

 

Drogheda United: Duggan, McGill, McNally, Harris, Haro, Meenan, Daly, Crowley, Brennan (Osbourne 85), McMahon, Flood.

 

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).