Drogheda United secured their first three points of the season at a cold Hunky Dorys Park, but once again they were forced to battle back after conceding an early goal.

A bright start by the home side saw Darren Quigley put through his paces as the Bray goalkeeper pulled off a series of spectacular saves to deny the Boynesiders an early goal. And on 15 minutes Quigley then saw his team take an unexpected lead after weathering the early storm.

Short pass
A short pass from the home goalkeeper Gabriel Sava to dePaul O'Conor saw the midfielder turn straight into Jason Byrne who gained possession and he quickly played a neat one-two with Dean Zambra to round Alan Byrne and fire a shot from 20 yards which left Sava with little chance.

Drogheda restarted with even more urgency and once again took the incentive and on 24 minutes David Cassidy was brought down in the penalty area by Gary Dempsey and referee Tomas Connolly pointed to the spot.

However, Declan O’Brien saw his placed effort saved by the trailing foot of Quigley.

It always looked like it was going to take something special to beat Darren Quigley and on 55 minutes, Eric Foley placed a free kick on the edge of the box right into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Even game
From then on the game took a more even feel to it.

Bray continued to play the ball around well and make the host work to get it back, but UCD’s Martin Russell, whose side take on Bray on Friday and who was in the stand, will have taken note of Drogheda’s winner.

Gavin Brennan made it to the Bray corner before pulling back to Shane Grimes and the full back’s cross was met by the unmarked Ryan Brennan who had the easy task of heading what was to be the winner.