Fresh frustration for Derry as 10-man Drogs dig out draw

Derry City passed up another opportunity to close the game on leaders Shamrock Rovers as Drogheda United earned a hard fought point at Weavers Park.

The draw is a meaningful one for Kevin Doherty's side. It means Drogheda have officially confirmed their place in the Premier Division for next season. In the week that an announcement on their impending takeover is expected, it is a good time to a United supporter at the moment.

Derry, meanwhile, dropped points for the third time in four league games. Recent wins over UCD, 5-0 and 6-0 respectively, mean little in the wider context of taking just two points from the other nine available in recent weeks.

Shamrock Rovers are now four points clear at the top of the league, with a game more to play than their most immediate rivals. Only the most unlikely capitulation now will allow Derry fans to dream of title success.

The result may not come as a surprise in the wider context of clashes between the sides in recent times. Drogheda have taken points off the Ruaidhri Higgins’ team in five of the last seven meetings.

The visitors were utterly dominant against United, in the first half especially. Paul McMullan and Danny Mullen forced Andrew Wogan into copycat saves at each of his posts, with the teenage goalkeeper diving low to repel each effort.

The game offered little between those two opportunities, as they bookended a forgettable first half in truth. The home side’s only glimpse at goal was via Adam Foley, whose shot was easy for Brian Maher.

Higgins’ could call on a no shortage of attacking firepower from the bench, with the returning Patrick McEleney supplementing his options further. A host of changes were made to press the issue but United, with fit again Conor Keeley starring,