Cork City 0 Drogheda Utd 0:Cork City lost their leading goalscorer, Roy O'Donovan, in the build-up to their tie against Drogheda United at Turner's Cross and they suffered grievously as a result.

O'Donovan, the subject of transfer offers from Southend and Fulham, took part in the warm-up but as soon as the players had returned to the dressing-rooms, it was announced over the public address system that he was not fit to play. Clearly his hamstring injury had reacted.

The absence of O'Donovan was a real blow and Cork's problems were exacerbated when they lost John O'Flynn after just 35 minutes. Cork seemed utterly incapable of taking a scoring opportunity in their absence.

Cork dominated the game but had to work hard for their chances, however, with Drogheda playing five across their midfield with Eamon Zayed operating as a lone striker.

Drogheda enjoyed some good luck, especially in the 27th minute when John O'Flynn and Colin Healy combined to set up Leon McSweeney on the right of the penalty area. McSweeney's shot from 16 yards flew narrowly wide of the far upright.

Cork were in again in the 45th minute when Dan Murray got his head to a free from Joe Gamble and goalkeeper Dan Connor had to stretch to turn the ball over the top and the best opportunity came in the 62nd minute.

Healy, who played consistently well in midfield, found McSweeney at the edge of the penalty area and his clever pass set up Behan. But he drove his shot across goal and wide of the far upright.

However, Drogheda almost provided a classic sucker punch in the final minute when Zayed sent Brian Shelley streaming in on goal but his shot was touched outside by goalkeeper Devine.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Woods (Ryan 80); Lordan, Gamble, Farrelly (O'Brien 85), Healy; McSweeney, O'Flynn (Behan 35).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Shelley, Tambouras (Gray 46), Gartland, Webb; O'Keeffe, Robinson, Byrne, Keegan, Shelley; Zayed.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)