Johnny Breen ended Dundalk's run of five straight defeats with the only goal of the game in the Louth derby with Drogheda United at Oriel Park.

Breen's crucial strike arrived after just six minutes. Mark Quigley's ball over the top found the local striker and with Drogheda United appeals for offside falling on deaf ears, Breen showed great composure to hook the ball over Stephen Trimble and guide home.

The Lilywhites controlled the majority of the first-half with Mark Quigley, winner of multiple honours at the club's end of season awards, instrumental in much of their play.

Breen looked to have doubled his side's lead on the stroke of half-time but this time his lob over Trimble just missed the target.

A low key second-half was brought to life with a sparkling Dundalk counter attack on the hour mark. Dean Bennett sent Simon Madden scampering away on the right but his first-time cross was mis-controlled at the crucial moment by Keith Ward.

Drogheda threw men forward in a bid to salvage a point and they almost grabbed it late on when Gavin Brennan stole in only to head over the bar.

Dundalk finished with a flourish and Keith Ward was denied by Trimble before Quigley rattled the woodwork in stoppage time.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, C Byrne, McHugh; Ward, Bennett, Bolger, McDonnell (J Byrne 63); M Quigley, Breen (N Murphy 84).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble; Gaul (O'Keefe 70), McNally, Rogers, Hand; S Quigley, Lynch, Gannon (O'Brien HT), Brennan; Corcoran (White 79), Mulvenna.

REFEREE: D Tomney (Dublin).