DROGHEDA UNITED staged a recovery mission at Terryland Park as Mick Cooke's charges came from behind to claim a win in the west.

 

Galway United contributed to a keenly contested encounter, but they were caught out in the final quarter as Drogheda responded following the concession of a glorious Alan Murphy goal.

Drogheda were on the front foot early on and Galway needed a smart intervention from left back Paul Sinnott in the sixth minute.

Gavin Brennan and Tiernan Mulvenna were involved in the build up releasing Jordan White, but Sinnott did well to clear the danger.

In the 13th minute Sean Kelly fizzed a hopeful shot wide as Galway gradually started to gain some confidence.

And the Tribesmen might have nicked the lead two minutes later when busy frontrunner Mikey Gilmore forced Dave Rogers to make an error, but Jin Gu Kim's subsequent shot lacked power.

Five minutes before the break Galway had a legitimate shout for a penalty when Mikey Gilmore fell following a Rogers challenge, but referee Padraig Sutton waved away the claim.

In the last minute of the first half Brennan put Mulvenna clear, but the striker rifled over the crossbar with a 20 yard effort.

It was a satisfactory start from the basement boys, who had competed honestly for large chunks of the opening period which will have encouraged manager Jumbo Brennan ahead of next month's defining promotion/relegation play/off.

Six minutes after the restart Lee Lynch examined Galway custodian John Egan's reflexes as Drogheda pushed forward in search of a lead goal.

The locals were incensed that two Galway players, Gary Kelly and Steven Walsh, were booked for innocuous incidents by Sutton.

Galway continued to battle and Sean Kelly, eager to venture into Drogheda territory, at every opportunity dragged a long distance strike wide.

Buoyed up by the manner in which they were threatening Drogheda Galway struck courtesy of a splendid 66th minute goal.

Oscar Sibanda and Gilmore manufactured space for skipper Alan Murphy, who delivered an immaculate chip to nudge Galway ahead.

But Galway were rocked in the 73rd minute as Drogheda substitute Daniel Corcoran headed home a Mulvenna cross.

There was no shortage of drama now and Drogehda then had centre half Alan McNally red carded for a last man challenge on Gilmore.

But Drogheda showed admirable courage and character as they grabbed a fortuitos goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Rogers hooked the ball back into a packed area and Galway defender Sean Kelly headed past John Egan as the locals suffered another cruel loss.

GALWAY UNITED: Egan; S Kelly, Browne, Walsh, Sinnott; Kim (Eduardo, 33), Ryan, Murphy, G Kelly (Son, 81); Sibanda, Gilmore.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble; Gaul, McNally, Rogers, Hand; Fitzgerald (Dolan, 72), Lynch, McMahon (Quigley, 68), Brennan; Mulvenna, White (Corcoran, 68).

REFEREE: P Sutton (Clare).