Sean Boyd rescues point as Shelbourne held by Drogheda United

A Sean Boyd equaliser salvaged a point for Shelbourne for the second time in five days to keep Damien Duff's side top of the Premier Division table.

Conceding to an early Frantz Pierrot header, Shels were frustrated for large parts of the evening by a tenacious Drogheda United at Tolka Park.

But despite it now being just one win in nine games, Drumcondra’s Reds remain at the summit, if by just one point from Derry City.

Four points in the week marks a welcome return for Kevin Doherty’s Drogheda who move six points clear of Louth neighbours Dundalk at the foot of the table.

Rewarded for his superbly-taken late leveller at Derry City on Monday, Boyd came in for his fifth start of the season to lead Shels’ attack in one of three changes.

Skipper Gary Deegan, who had played every minute this season, was Drogheda’s big loss as he served a suspension.

In his stead, Oisin Gallagher helped anchor Drogheda’s midfield alongside captain for the night, Ryan Brennan.

But it was Shels’ skipper Mark Coyle who was penalised for a foul on Drogheda right-back Luke Heeney that sparked the game immediately to life on three minutes.

Evan Weir arced over an inviting free kick from the right which was met by Pierrot who powered a header to the top corner despite Conor Kearns getting a hand to it. It was the Haitian international’s second goal in the week and fourth of the season.

Shels looked for an instant response and almost got it within a minute. Left winger Will Jarvis cut in to get the ball onto his right foot to curl a shot goal-ward.

Andrew Wogan, in for the suspended Jethren Barr, sent off in Monday’s derby win over Dundalk, batted the effort away.

Drogheda survived again on 12 minutes from Tyreke Wilson’s free kick into their area.

Boyd got on