Drogheda United come from behind as Sligo Rovers suffer defeat

The Bit O'Red had taken the lead after six minutes as Will Fitzgerald scored his first of the season, but Kevin Doherty's side were back on level terms on 24 minutes courtesy of Darragh Markey's fine strike.

A Frantz Pierrot penalty on 70 minutes gave the Drogs the lead, with Aaron McNally's fine strike on 86 minutes sealing all three points.

Drogheda came into this fixture seeking a second win of the season, having collected four draws and one defeat in their last five games, sitting second bottom of the table.

The visitors were looking for a first win in five, with two draws and two defeats in their last four games.

John Russell was forced into three changes for this tie as key players Max Mata, Fabrice Hartmann and Simon Power all missed out through injury.

Will Fitzgerald and Wilson Waweru came into the starting 11, as did Stefan Radosavljevic who made a first start of the season.

Kevin Doherty’s side proved to be tough opposition for the Bit O’Red last year, with Rovers failing to beat the Louth men in five meetings in 2023.

Seconds had elapsed in this tie when Frantz Pierrot – looking for a second goal of the season – almost got on the end of Adam Foley’s ball from the right, but Ed McGinty came off his line to claim the ball.

Rovers settled well after a frantic start, and found the net on six minutes as Fitzgerald got on the scoresheet for the first time this season.

In a nice attacking move involving Ellis Chapman, Waweru and Fitzgerald, former Galway United striker Waweru chested it down, with the ball coming to Fitzgerald who struck with the outside of his boot as there was nothing Jethren Barr could do to keep it out.

After going behind, the home side grew into this game, and were causing their opponents a whole world of problems at the back.

McGinty rose highest to get his hands on Oisin Gallagher’s cross with former Athlone Town striker Pierrot lurking close by.

The Haitian international nodded wide on 15 minutes, before the Drogs were back on level terms.

Markey – who had turned on the style by this stage – collected the ball in midfield and his excellent strike from distance flew into the top corner on 24 minutes.

Gary Deegan robbed Connor Malley of possession on 25 minutes, but the veteran sent his effort straight into the arms of McGinty.

An error at the back from JR Wilson, gifting the ball to Adam Foley, allowed the former Finn Harps man the space he needed, but a superb block from Ollie Denham denied the home side a second goal.

Sligo Rovers had the legs of the Cardiff loanee to thank again on 42 minutes when he got in the way of Markey’s attempt.

Stefan Radosavlkevic blazed over in additional time, with Rovers probably relieved to see half-time on level terms.

The visitors, who brought on Kailin Barlow at half-time, started the second half well.

Substitute Barlow was eager to impress as he entered the fray, but the Sligo native couldn’t get on the end of a good ball across goal, with his excellent ball for Ellis Chaman moments later well defended by the home side.

Drogheda were proving to be tricky for Sligo Rovers, and Russell’s side only had themselves to blame on 69 minutes when Drogheda were awarded a penalty.

Captain Niall Morahan was adjudged to have committed the foul on Luke Heeney inside the box, with Pierrot coolly slotting past McGinty for 2-1.

The home side were well in control of this tie, and had another shout for a penalty dismissed on 79 minutes when Rein Smit bundled over Frantz Pierrot inside the box.

Reece Hutchinson went close with an effort from range, but Rovers were struggling to get near Jethren Barr.

And the Drogs made sure of a vital three points with four minutes to go as Aaron McNally ducked and weaved his way through the Bit O'Red defence, tucking past McGinty for 3-1.

Drogheda United: Jethren Barr, Hayden Cann, Jack Keaney, Luke Heeney, Conor Kane, Darragh Markey (Dave Webster, 91), Gary Deegan, Oisin Gallagher, Warren Davis, Adam Foley (Aaron McNally, 63), Frantz Pierrot (Ryan Brennan, 84).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, JR Wilson, Ollie Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson, Stefan Radosavljevic (Owen Elding, 78), Connor Malley, Niall Morahan (Rein Smit, 78), Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald (Kailin Barlow, 46), Wilson Waweru.

Referee: Mark Houlihan.