Monaghan U 0 Drogheda 1:DROGHEDA UNITED battled to a 1-0 victory at Gortakeegan despite playing the second half with 10 men. The away supporters were still celebrating Declan O'Brien's 43rd-minute goal when Drogheda midfielder Ryan Brennan was dismissed with a straight red, but the visitors held on, thank mainly to goalkeeper Gabriel Sava.

The lead was deserved, as Drogheda had pressed from the start. Five minutes in, Seán Brennan, one of seven former Monaghan United players, sent 22-yard a free kick whistling past Bennion’s right post.

Drogheda continued to attack. and Brennan again came close with a free.

The home side began to match Drogheda in midfield but were forced into an early change when Aiden Collins was replaced by Willo McDonagh on 30 minutes.

Drogheda took the lead when O’Brien nipped between two defenders to beat Chris Bennion from close range.

However the half ended in controversy when Dublin referee Neill Doyle sent Brennan off following a late tackle on Robert Bayly.

After the break, Monaghan immediately pressed for the equaliser.

However, Drogheda goalkeeper Gabriel Sava wasn’t extended until the 72nd minute, when he saved Conor Murphy’s effort from six yards.

Murphy tested Sava soon afterwards, but the ex-Monaghan goalkeeper was equal to the fine effort.

On 84 minutes Jordan Keegan, reportedly being monitored by English scouts, cut in from the left but again Sava saved.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Bennion, Whelan Alan Byrne (R Collins 40 mins) Bayly, Murphy, Reynor, Maher, A Collins (McDonagh 30 mins), O'Connor, Keegan, Humphrey (McGuiness 50 mins)

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava, Quigley, Prendergast, McNally, R Brennan, S Brennan (Breen 66 mins) , Brennan, Grimes, O’Brien (Hand 57 mins) Brian Gannon, Eric Foley

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin)