Dundalk win drought continues in goalless Louth derby

Dundalk's wait for a first win of the season continues after they were held to a scoreless draw by 10 man Drogheda Utd at Oriel Park.

Stephen O’Donnell’s side were second best for most this lunchtime Louth Derby clash but were given real hope of ending their winless run when the visitors had Luke Heeney harshly sent off 20 minutes from the end.

Despite plenty of pressure after that, the hosts could find no way through meaning they have yet to score at home this season - their run of four games in-a-row without scoring is their longest drought at home since December 1965/January 1966.

The result will pile further pressure on O’Donnell as their return of three points mirrors their start to the 1998/99 season when it took 10 games to register a win. Dundalk were relegated at the end of that season for the first time in their history and, even at this early stage of the season, that remains the fear amongst their support.

While just above their county rivals in the table, Kevin Doherty will be the happier of the two managers with his side’s showing.

The first half was a largely lifeless affair with the visitors providing the only real attacking threat.Evan Weir flashed a shot across goal on three minutes but it would be the 29th minute before there was another attack of note when Zishim Bawa’s effort was blocked by Mayowa Animasahun.

The rebound then broke to Jack Keaney but he could only screw his shotto the left and wide.Deegan then blazed over from the edge of the box on 40 minutes after Ross Munro could only punch clear Weir’s free kick.

The Boynesiders’ best chance would come in stoppage time when Warren Davis broke to the end line on the left before pulling back for Adam Foley but the former Finn Harps man couldn’t direct his