Sandvliet's strike does the trick

National League/Drogheda United 1 Finn Harps 0: A sole second-half strike was enough to see Drogheda record only their second…

National League/Drogheda United 1 Finn Harps 0: A sole second-half strike was enough to see Drogheda record only their second home win of the season.

The home side sat back after scoring what proved to be the winner and would have paid the price had a dogged Harps had a little more punch up front.

The game suddenly sprung to life 10 minutes into the second half when from Shane Robinson's corner, Declan O'Briens header was hacked from the goal line by Harps defender Ian Rossiter.

From the clearance, Sami Ristila flicked the ball into the path of Jermaine Sandvliet who cracked the ball to the net from the edge of the box.

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Drogheda failed to push their advantage home as they seemed content with the one goal lead. They allowed Harps far too much time and space in the closing stages and were almost punished five minutes from time when Michael Funston drove the ball narrowly wide from 18 yards.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers, Lynch, Webb, Gray, Malcolm (Tyrrell, 69 mins), Bradley (Whelan, 75 mins), Robinson, Ristila, O'Brien, Rooney (Leech, 73 mins), Sandvliet.

FINN HARPS: Cullen, Rossiter, Minnock, Boyle, Bradley (McGrenaghan, 80 mins), Asokuh, Funston, Bonner (Crossan, 75 mins), Breen, McHugh, Gorman.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).