Fagan sinks Drogs to give Saints breathing space

Christy Fagan's early opener proved the difference between the sides at United Park.

Pat's have now taken 11 points from the last 18 available and are starting to look up the table after a dire start to the campaign.

But they suffered a real scare in injury time when Conor O'Malley made a great save to deny Adam Wixted.

With every passing week comes another 'biggest game of the season' for Drogheda.

So far, they've failed to step up to the mark. United are without a win since April and their dismal recent form leaves them in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table.

Pat's hit the front after 14 minutes, having been denied by the crossbar twice before that.

First, Kurtis Byrne connected with Killian Brennan's corner and his looping effort came off the top of the woodwork.

A minute before the opener, the bar also denied Fagan. Conan Byrne crossed the ball across the six-yard box, from where the striker's effort came off the underside of the bar and into Stephen McGuinness' arms.

However, Fagan was not to be denied and he broke the deadlock moments later. Byrne squared the ball from the right again and Fagan added the finishing touch for his sixth goal of the season.

Drogheda had a chance when Thomas Byrne pounced on Lee Desmond's loose pass, but he couldn't get his shot away and was smothered out.

Pat's could have doubled their lead before the break but Lloyd Buckley cleared Conan Byrne's goalbound header.

DROGHEDA UNITED - McGuinness; Deasy (Elworthy, 36), Buckley, Gallagher, Kane; McEvoy, Hyland; Russell (Wixted, 76), Bayly (Brennan, 73) Byrne; Mulhall.

ST PAT'S ATH - O'Malley; Barker, Balk, Desmond, Bermingham; Brennan; C Byrne, Kelly, K Byrne (Markey, 83), Dennehy (Lunney, 90+30; Fagan (J O'Hanlon, 84).

Ref - P Tuite