St Patrick's Athletic see off Drogheda United at Richmond Park

Goals from Billy King, Eoin and Mark Doyle got St Patrick’s Athletic back on track with a first win in three games in the Richmond Park drizzle.

For Drogheda it ended a five-match unbeaten run as St Patrick's added this to a 4-0 win at Head in The Game Park in early May.

Ben McCormack was the only change in the St Pat’s line up from Monday’s home defeat to champions Shamrock Rovers, replacing Darragh Burns who is set for a move to English League One side MK Dons.

Starting with purpose, St Pat’s pressed Drogheda from the off, Luke Heeney having to defend well to force a shot from Mark Doyle out for a corner following a promising move on four minutes.

Drogheda threatened seven minutes later, Adam Foley working a one-two from a throw-in to get into the box and work Joseph Anang.

The action promptly resumed at the other end with St Pat’s left confounded that they hadn’t taken the lead.

Finding space one the right, King’s cross picked out McCormack whose header cannoned back off a post.

Foley had got back brilliantly to block Jack Scott’s follow-up out for Saints’ third corner of the game.

King continued to trouble Drogheda down the right, whipping over another dangerous cross which Mark Doyle just couldn’t direct on target.

Drogheda escaped not conceding a penalty on 25 minutes, their skipper Dane Massey’s arm was high in the air as the ball clearly made contact with it from Eoin Doyle’s header with referee Ray Matthews not impressed.

The home side continued to dominate, King turning well to shoot wide after another break down the left by Mark Doyle.

Colin McCabe stood his ground well at his near post to force a shot from Eoin Doyle out for another corner after livewire King yet again got down the right flank to cross into the near