Drogheda United 2 Finn Harps 0: Finn Harps made a return to the Eircom League First Division after just one season in the top flight. A goal in either half sealed victory for Drogheda whose cause was helped with the sending off of the Donegal side's Mark Skoltock after half an hour.

United's victory all but secures their place in next season's Intertoto and Setanta Cup competitions.

Harps began in lively fashion as player/manager Anthony Gorman tested goalkeeper Dan Connor with a crisp drive from 18 yards which was only parried, but Conor Gethins, who was following up, lost his footing at the vital moment.

Drogheda began to settle to their task as Jermaine Sandvliet just failed to get a touch twice in quick succession to crosses from Mark Rooney and Paul Keegan.

With 13 minutes gone the home side hit the front when Sami Ristila played a one-two with Gavin Whelan on the edge of the Harps box for Whelan to unleash a superb strike to the top corner of the net.

Harps went close to an equaliser when Chris Breen saw his shot pushed away by Connor with almost 20 minutes played.

But the visitors, who were fighting for Premier Division survival, were dealt a body blow just beyond the half hour mark when Skoltock was sent off for pulling down Rooney who was clean through on goal.

But from the resulting free Simon Webb fired over the bar.

United should have extended their advantage in the next 10 minutes as Sandvliet blasted over from an excellent position and Whelan was denied a second by the brilliance of Gavin Cullen in the Harps goal, who tipped his 15-yard strike to safety.

As the half drew to a close the visitors belied their numerical advantage and on three occasions should have scored.

Eight minutes from the break Kevin McHugh beat Webb to the ball on the right and, spotting Connor off his line, he attempted the lob which sailed over both goalkeeper and crossbar.

A Chris Breen cross saw Conor Gethins flash a header wide before, in injury time, Shane Bradley was on the end of a Gorman free to power his header over the bar.

Chances were few in the second half but those that materialised fell to the home side.

With 54 minutes gone Ristila's shot was deflected out for a second successive corner which Sandvliet swung over to Whelan who headed inches wide.

Ristila was denied by Cullen in the visitors' goal on 71 minutes, but there was nothing the Harps goalkeeper could do to prevent the Finnish international's next effort entering the net in the 76th minute.

Damien Lynch played the striker through the middle and he raced in from 30 yards to kill the game off. But for the heroics of Cullen Drogheda could have run amok at this stage, as he denied what appeared to be certain goals, denying Ristila twice more and substitute Keith Fahey.

DROGHEDA; Connor, Lynch, Webb, Whelan (Bernard 80 mins), Gray, Gavin, Robinson, Keegan, Rooney (Malcolm 66 mins), Ristila, Sandvliet (Fahey 72 mins).

FINN HARPS; Cullen, Asokuh, Minnock, Skoltock, Bradley, Funston, Gethins (Capper 71 mins), McGrenaghan, Breen, McHugh, Gorman. Sent off: Skoltock (32 mins).

Referee; Pat Whelan (Dublin).