Derry's lead at the top cut as they're held by Drogheda

Derry City dropped points for the second time in three days as a second-half Drogheda United rearguard action denied the league leaders at Head In The Game Park.

Ruaidhri Higgins was pleased to have another match come along so soon after Friday's shock defeat against Shelbourne, but this wasn’t quite the return to form he would have hoped for.

The performance was good, the result not so. With Shamrock Rovers earning back-to-back wins over the Easter weekend, the gap at the top is now just one point. Derry supporters will hope this is a blip and a return to their first-round form is just around the corner.

That feels inevitable, given the quality in the squad. They began this game with Patrick McEleney and Jamie McGonigle on a strong bench.

Both of those entered the fray in the second half but after Ryan Brennan cancelled out Joe Thomson’s opener in the first half, there were no further goals. That was down in large part to United’s resolute backline.

They restricted the number of clear chances Derry created in the second half. When the visitors did break through, outstanding goalkeeper Sam Long stood in their way.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Drogheda enjoyed an impressive start to the game, undoubtedly buoyed by their three points at UCD on Friday evening. They will also have anticipated the chance to pile more misery on Derry, making the most of a weakness exposed for the first time this year by Shels.

Luke Heeney forced a save from Gartside and Drogheda forced four corners inside the opening 10 minutes.

At the other end, Cameron Dummigan dragged a long-range shot well wide before a first genuine chance of the game fell City's way. One wing-back supplied another but Danny Lafferty’s header from Ronan Boyce’s deep cross was off target.

Tho