Chris Forrester scored twice in the dying embers of a frantic game by the Camac as St Patrick's Athletic gave interim manager Jon Daly back-to-back wins.
Jay McClelland was sprung from the bench to head Saints in front on 82 minutes and the midfielder was well placed to follow up after a Tom Grivosti header when Jake Mulraney’s corner came back off a post.
Skipper Forrester then provided the gloss with his brace, which was harsh on a gallant Drogheda.
Though missing six defenders through injury or suspension, Kevin Doherty's side were always well in this game until late on.
Forrester got his first right on 90 minutes, producing sublime skill on the edge of the area before volleying to the bottom corner.
His second arrived two minutes into stoppage time when pouncing on a mistake by Ryan Brennan to take the ball around goalkeeper Colin McCabe and drive it to the net.
McCabe had redeemed an early mistake to thwart Forrester in the only real chance of a poor first half.
The game soon sparked into life in the second half when superb goalkeeping at the other end prevented Drogheda from taking the lead.
In a half-time reshuffle, Saints had brought centre-back Grivosti on for midfielder Vladislav Kreida with Jamie Lennon, who started at right-back, pushed up into midfield.
And while it gave Saints added impetus as Mark Doyle headed wide from a Sam Curtis cross, it was Drogheda who were close to taking the lead on 53 minutes.
Conor Keeley initially won a header from Dayle Rooney’s free kick. The ball then bounced up nicely for the defender whose volley was brilliantly saved by Dean Lyness.
Two minutes later a superb move by the visitors carved St Pat’s open.
Gary Deegan, Freddie Draper and Dylan Grimes worked the ball to Rooney on the left.
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