Soccer

Saints made to pay for missed chances as Drogheda grab point

Lee Duffy’s penalty earns visitors a draw at Richmond Park

Ciarán Kilduff of St Patrick’s Athletic shoots to score his side’s second goal in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Drogheda United at Richmond Park. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ciarán Kilduff of St Patrick’s Athletic shoots to score his side’s second goal in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Drogheda United at Richmond Park. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Paul Buttner
Mon Apr 20 2015 - 22:00

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Drogheda United 2

Lee Duffy salvaged an unlikely point for Drogheda at Richmond Park as St Patrick's paid the penalty for not taking a myriad of chances.

Substitute Duffy calmly slotted home from the spot on 83 minutes after Lee Desmond had tripped Daryl Kavanagh in the box.

Apart from an early save at full stretch by Conor O’Malley from Kavanagh’s low drive, St Patrick’s dominated.

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Drogheda scrambled clear a powerfully delivered low cross from Ian Bermingham before James Chambers blazed over the bar on 22 minutes.

Three minutes later the woodwork rescued the visitors as Chris Forrester showed good feet to make the space before cracking a 25-yard left-footed shot off Michael Schlingermann's crossbar.

Against the run of play, Drogheda were gifted an opening on 28 minute which winger Jason Marks shot well wide when put through on goal.

It provided a jolt of confidence to John McDonnell’s side, though, and they snatched the lead on 33 minutes.

Kavanagh won a corner from a deflected shot. That was put out for a second corner and from Marks's delivery 18-year-old central defender Lloyd Buckley headed home to score for the second game running.

St Patrick’s kept playing and Bermingham and Forrester came close before they were level a minute before the interval.

Left back Bermingham got to the end line to cross for Conan Byrne to arrive to head home at the back post.

Continuing to run the game into the second half, St Patrick’s dominance got its reward on the hour mark.

Drogheda's Alan Byrne and Seán Thornton lost the ball between inside their own box and Kilduff pounced to turn and shoot home.

Schlingermann tipped over an Aaron Greene header while Kilduff wasted two good chances before Drogheda struck to take their point.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: O'Malley; O'Brien, Browne, Desmond, Bermingham; Chambers (McGrath, 86); Forrester (Bolger, 78), Brennan; Byrne (Langley, 65), Kilduff, Greene.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann; McGowan, Buckley, Byrne, Gorman; Brady, Daly, Thornton (Hughes, 65), Marks (Walsh, 78); Mulvanna (Duffy, 65), Kavanagh.

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).