Galway United 1 Drogheda United 1:As the season enters a critical phase two club's requiring points collided on the Dyke Road. Drogheda remain intent winning the title, and though Galway's ambition is survival the visitors were aware that this would be a stern assignment.

Galway's grit and determination in recent weeks has seen them stitch a four-game unbeaten sequence together.

That provides encouragement for a team embroiled in a relegation battle. Drogheda were eager to take all three points but met with strong resistance .

The opening minutes of the encounter were fast and furious. Drogheda carved two good opportunities which Graham Gartland and Guy Bates should have done better with. At the other end Galway had a penalty claim waved away by referee Anthony Buttimer.

Under pressure from Galway's Derek Glynn the ball bounced up an struck Gartland's arm, but the Cork official didn't award a spot kick.

Further chances were created as the half evolved. Guy Bates examined Gary Rogers' reflexes in the 39th minute with a rasping shot, while Derek O'Brien's clever run nearly ended with a goal seconds later.

Still the respective manager's, Tony Cousins and Paul Doolin were content to reach half-time all square.

But it was Doolin who was smiling in the 64th minute when Drogheda pinched the lead goal. Eamon Zayed's intricate flick released strike partner Guy Bates, who finished with aplomb.

The advantage, however, was shortlived as parity was restored in the 70th minute when John Lester's blistering 30-yard free kick rattled the visitors net.

GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Nootimer, Fitzgerald, Lester, Keane; Cooke (Russell, 70), O'Halloran, Murphy, O'Brien; O'Flynn, Glynn (Faherty, 61).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Shelley, Gartland, Gavin, Webb; Baker, Byrne (Keegan, 62), Robinson, Cahill; Bates (O'Keefe, 74, Grant, 86), Zayed.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).