Hayden Cann's 94th-minute winner, his first goal for Drogheda United, settled a Louth derby that sparked into life in the second half.
It may just have done the same for his team’s season.
For the second time this campaign, United finished the derby with 10 men. Luke Heeney was controversially shown red in the April Fools Day meeting and Jethren Barr was dismissed here as Drogheda gave up their advantage.
But despite Jamie Gullan’s leveller, the on-loan Lincoln City player ensured Drogheda are the toast of the Wee County, for now at least.
With the local rivals occupying the bottom two positions in the Premier Division table, Weavers Park played host to as consequential a league encounter between these sides in years.
The sides had played out a scoreless draw in the derby at Oriel Park earlier in this season but this renewal on Boyneside provided much more in the way of incident and entertainment.
Frantz Pierrot had given the home side a lead early in the second half, finishing after Gary Deegan had stolen the ball from Paul Doyle on the edge of the area.
It was one of Doyle’s last acts in the game. The midfielder was withdrawn minutes later following a cynical hack on Warren Davis as the teenage winger made a beeline towards goal.
Pierrot’s third goal of the season had set Drogheda up for just a third win of the season but instead it looked like Dundalk were to earn just their second at the expense of their county neighbours.
The Haitian had snatched at a handful of chances in the opening 45 minutes but this finish was an another example of what he’s capable of producing at the top level.
He could have had a second had he connected with Evan Weir’s clever free kick but it was just beyond his reach, with Adam Foley then shooting wide from the rebound.
For the second time in the match, the superbHeeney showed his defensive instincts to clear off the line.
Gullan’s strike had the goalkeeper beaten but not the Bellewstown man. In the first half, he produced similar to deny Robbie Benson.
A moment of madness handed the Lilywhites a route back into the game. From George Shelvey’s long kick out, Barr raced off his goal in an attempt to beat substitute Cameron Elliott to the ball.
The full South African international extended his right leg out and took the Dundalk forward out of the game. It was the goalkeeper, however, and not Elliott who was left stricken on the turf.
When was eventually helped to his feet, referee Rob Harvey showed red and Andrew Wogan was introduced for Pierrot.
The Republic of Ireland Under 21 cap’s first act of the game was to pick the ball out of his net, having been beaten low to his left by Scottish striker Gullan’s low free-kick. It kissed the post before nestling in the goal.
Dundalk huffed, puffed and couldn’t apply the pressure required to find a winner. The game, surely, was only going one way. Daryl Horgan tested Wogan from the edge of the area, but it was straight at him.
There remained time for Oisin Gallagher to win a free kick inside the Dundalk half. Drogheda pushed players forward and from Evan Weir’s delivery, the ball fell perfectly for Cann who fired in from close range.
Weavers Park hasn’t heard a roar like that for some time. Dundalk goalkeeper Shelvey was shown red at full time as some players briefly clashed on the field.
Drogheda United: Jethren Barr; Luke Heeney, Andrew Quinn, Hayden Cann, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, Ryan Brennan; Adam Foley, Darragh Markey (Oisin Gallagher, 83), Warren Davis (Aaron McNally, 66); Frantz Pierrot (Andrew Wogan, 77).
Dundalk: George Shelvey; Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andrew Boyle, Hayden Muller (Ryan O’Kane, 89); Scott High, Paul Doyle (Koen Oostenbrink, 60); John Mountney (Cameron Elliott, 73), Robbie Benson, Daryl Horgan; Jamie Gullan.
Referee: Robert Harvey
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