Pat Dolan made a winning return to management as St Patrick's Athletic did enough to end a run of three defeats and keep Drogheda United bottom of the table at Richmond Park yesterday.
It was far from a pretty display, however, and Dolan knows there is much room for improvement.
However, a win is a win and that is all St Patrick's needed after their traumatic New Year; their workmanlike display - and the sloppiest of goals - proved sufficient to win what was a poor spectacle. Dolan stamped his imprint on the side, making five changes to the side beaten 3-1 in Waterford last week.
Willie Burke made his first start of the season at right back following injury, Keith Doyle returned at left back while Stephen McGuinness returned from suspension in central defence.
Trevor Molloy and Liam Kelly started up front alongside Marcus Hallows in a three-man attack with Eddie Gormley, Martin Russell and Colin Hawkins in midfield.
The only goal came after five minutes. A sliced clearance by Drogheda goalkeeper Gareth Byrne gave away a corner. Martin Russell crossed it into the area where a scramble ensued, and Packie Lynch got the final touch to force the ball over the line, though Drogheda claimed it went in off their defender Damien Maher.
The goal was no more than St Patrick's bright start deserved. They had the ball in the Drogheda net inside the opening minute but Hawkins's effort was ruled out for offside. Drogheda, themselves rebuilding under Eddie May, made sure it was far from one-way traffic. Darren O'Keeffe and Drogheda captain Greg O'Dowd both shot narrowly over before St Patrick's goalkeeper Trevor Wood saved well at the feet of John Butler in the 17th minute.
Nine minutes later the home side had another let-off when Alan Murphy's throw deflected off Hawkins and Fergal Coleman's spectacular overhead kick just went over the crossbar.
Molloy then produced an amazing piece of skill at the other end two minutes later. The St Patrick's striker dumbfounded O'Dowd at the endline with an audacious two-footed flick over the Drogheda captain's head. But the trick didn't get the finish it deserved as Molloy volleyed into the sidenetting.
A dreadful second half provided little cheer for a crowd of about 3,000. Lynch should have increased St Patrick's lead on 74 minutes when heading wide under no pressure. Molloy then forced a good save from Gareth Byrne in time added on.
St Patrick's Athletic: Wood; Burke, McGuinness, Lynch, Doyle; Hawkins, Gormely, Russell; Hallows, Kelly, Molloy. Subs: Croly for Kelly (68 mins), Broughan for Hawkins (73 mins), Harte for Russell (86 mins).
Drogheda United: G Byrne; Impey, McDonald, Maher; A Murphy, C Murphy, O'Dowd, O'Keeffe, Boyle; Butler, Coleman. Subs: McCann for Butler (inj 62 mins), Revins for A Murphy (76 mins).
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
