Shamrock Rovers earned a vital three points in the bid for a fifth league title in a row with a late, late show at Weavers Park.
Dylan Watts was the hero with a goal-of-the-season contender to keep the Hoops two points behind leaders Shelbourne with just two games to go.
I na tension filled encounter the hosts, with the knowledge that a win would put them a single point behind relegation play-off rivals Bohemians who don't line out until Saturday,
But the four-in-a-row Champions faced a big week themselves, with Larne lurking on the horizon in Europe on Thursday night and a Sunday evening trip back up the M1 to face somewhat of a bogey side in Dundalk, but Stephen Bradley went all guns blazing naming a strong 11 in a cauldron like atmosphere.
The in-form Jack Byrne began pulling the strings in midfield, finding wideman Darragh Burns on the right on a number of occasions early on and the diminutive attacker was creating chaos in the Drogheda backline with low early crosses.
One of which eventually resulted in the closest either side came to scoring in the opening exchanges as Lee Grace rose highest to get on the end of a whipped Byrne corner, heading just wide.
The game began to breathe as set-pieces seemed the order of the day with both sides looking threatening, as Shane Farrell and Byrne seemed to go head-to-head to see who could create first. Andrew Quinn got in behind a deep free-kick from Farrell with the ball eventually being scrambled away to safety.
And minutes later another Byrne corner was just half cleared, falling kindly to Dylan Watts who’s volley took a wicked deflection but flew straight into the hands of the grateful Luke Dennison.
Finglas man, Farrell, doing his best to help his former side Shelbourne in the title race responded with a rasping 30-yard free-kick that was excellently turned around the post by a scrambling Leon Pohls.
Midway through the half the FAI Cup finalists spurned a glorious chance to get in front when Douglas James-Taylor was played in behind by a looping Elicha Ahui ball. Having seen his initial effort smothered by the onrushing Pohls, the ball spilled back to James-Taylor’s path but with a couple of recovering Rovers defenders on the line, skied his second attempt with the goal at his mercy.
Kevin Doherty’s men were almost made to pay for the miss seconds later when Dan Cleary’s header was cleared off the line and inciting an almighty goalmouth scramble ensuing with the ball eventually cleared after a couple of attempts.
A finely balanced half ended with Rovers striker Marc McNulty clipping the edge of the post with a low strike from the edge of the area.
The second half continued at a relentless pace with both sides continuing to go blow for blow. Dylan Watts tested Dennison again and on the hour mark, McNulty thought he had given his side the lead finishing coolly from a Danny Mandroiu through ball, only to see the flag raised for the tightest of offside calls.
As the breathless encounter entered its dying embers, with a draw looking likely in the war of attrition, up stepped Watts to hit thunderous right footed from 25-yards effort to give his side a priceless lead.
The home side threw the kitchen sink at the Hoops but despite their best efforts and a number of late set-pieces failed to create a clear cut opportunity to rescue a point.
Full focus now switches to the beginning of an enthralling Europa Conference League journey for the Champions, whilst Kevin Doherty and his Drogheda charges must dust themselves down as they face a tough trip to another title hopeful at Tolka Park in their bid for both safety and FAI Cup glory over the next couple of season defining weeks.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Dave Webster, James Bolger ; Elicha Ahui, Ryan Brennan, Darragh Markey (Warren Davis, 77’), Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell; Adam Foley (Killian Cailloce, 83’), Douglas James-Taylor
Subs not used: Andrew Wogan, Aaron Harper Bailey, Jack Keaney, Gary Deegan, Matthew O’Brien, Aaron McNally, Bridel Bosakani
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Darragh Burns (Joshua Honohan, 88’), Dylan Watts (Darragh Nugent, 88’), Gary O’Neill (Graham Burke, 63’), Jack Byrne (Aaron McEneff, 71’), Neil Farrugia; Danny Mandroiu, Marc McNulty (Johnny Kenny, 63’)
Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Sean Kavanagh, Markus Poom, Conan Noonan
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)
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