Derry City ride their luck to dispatch Drogheda United

Derry City got off to a winning start but they were made to work hard by a well-organised Drogheda United side at a sold-out Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Second-half goals from Ronan Boyce and Pat Hoban gave the home side the advantage and while Evan Weir pulled a goal back, the Candystripes worked hard and ran out deserved winners.

Kevin Doherty's side, to their credit, will leave Foyleside disappointed they didn’t take anything from the game, especially as substitute Ryan Brennan missed a second-half spot-kick, at a crucial time in the game.

The large home support were delighted that striker Hoban marked his competitive debut with a goal and his poacher-like finish just after the hour mark was something that was missing last season.

Doherty will take a lot of heart from his side’s second-half performance, which with a bit more luck could have earned them a share of the spoils.

The visitors, who started with Zishim Bawa and Frantz Pierrot up top, almost took a 22nd-minute lead when the Swedish native got in behind the City defence, but his left-footed strike was well saved by an out-rushing Maher.

Moments later, the lively Paul McMullan tested Andrew Wogan but the Drogheda goalkeeper did well to hold onto the Scot's 20-yard pile-driver.

City went close again 35 minutes as Patching’s corner found Mark Connolly but the big centre-back’s powerful header, which had Wogan beaten, landed on top of the net.

Drogs were forced into a change at half-time with Pierrot replaced by Ryan Brennan, but it was the hosts who took the lead 62 seconds into the second half.

A ball fell to Hoban, who flicked it onto Boyce’s path and the right-back cut inside onto his left-foot, before curling the ball home into the top-right corner from some 25