CITY OWN GOAL WIN.

Drogheda Utd 0

Cork City 1

IT took an own goal from Drogheda's Brendan McGill 11 minutes from time last night to decide a game where a share of the spoils would have been just about right.

It took a fine stop by keeper Steve Williams from Billy Dennehy's powerful shot to prevent Cork taking the lead in the very first minute and as the visitors dominated the exchanges.

With 16 minutes gone City went close once more when Kevin Long met Dennehy's corner and was unfortunate to see his powerful header hit the bar.

Almost immediately at the other end Drogheda created their first chance as Jamie Duffy sent Ross Gaynor in on goal but, from a good position, he drove into the side net.

As the half wore on it was United who enjoyed the better of play and the home side should have broken the deadlock on two occasions.

Just before the half-hour mark Brendan McGill swung a corner in from the right which Ian Ryan guided to the top corner but Gareth Cambridge break Gaynor raced away down the left and set up Guy Bates who sidestepped his marker brilliantly before sending his strike just the wrong side of the post.

After the break there were chances at either end as Duffy's attempted lob was saved by the alert Mark McNulty while Cambridge, in the clear with only Williams to beat, blasted over when he really should have scored.

With 61 minutes gone Cork broke swiftly but Fahrudin Kuduzovic guided his header wide.

How the game stayed goalless for so long was a mystery and it was ironic that it was an own goal that eventually ended the stalemate.

United's right back James Chambers lost his footing allowing Dennehy pick up possession and send a low cross into the box that flew past the hapless Williams from the boot of the unlucky McGill.

The home side's disappointment was complete in stoppage time when Paul Shiels saw red for an off the ball incident.

CAPTION(S):

CLASH City's Kevin Long slides in on Jamie Duffy