Pat’s joy as Lewis stuns Drogheda in injury time

ST PATRICK’S Athletic left it late to seal a victory against Drogheda United – with Alfie Lewis’ stunner condemning Drogheda to defeat at Head In the Game Park. After Pat’s were hit with a sucker punch late on last week, the manner of the victory will please Stephen O’Donnell. As the clocked ticked into the fourth minute of added time, Lewis found space on the edge of the area and his shot found the top corner. Neither side offered much in the first 45 minutes. Mark Doyle burst into the Pat’s box early on but his shot was charged down by Paddy Barrett. At the other end, Chris Forrester dragged a shot across goal and wide. Chances were few and far between in a game that was significant in the race for Europe and at the bottom, where Drogheda were keen to avoid being dragged into an relegation scrap. After the break, the away side improved. Ronan Coughlan couldn’t add to his seven league goals this term. His header was straight at David Odumosu, who along with Killian Phillips was celebrating a call up to Ireland’s U21 squad. The impressive Darragh Burns’ burst through on the right and pulled back for Forrester. His shot was goalbound but blocked on the line. Teenager Ben McCormack went close. His late header from Billy King’s cross was again, straight at the United goalkeeper. In injury time, Lewis struck. Pat’s were unlucky to lose to an injury time goal last time out. O’Donnell will have known Drogheda are no strangers to late goals. They had scored six goals in the 80th minute or later at home this term. This time they delivered the late blow.

DROGHEDA: Odumosu; Redmond, O’Reilly, Massey; Brown, Heeney (Murray 82), Phillips, Kane; Clarke (Markey 56); Doyle, Adeyemo (Lyons 57). ST PAT’S: Jaros; Bone; Barrett, Abankwah (Desmond 64), Griffin; Lewis, Lennon (Nwoko 87); Burns, Forrester (McCormack 73), Smith; Coughlan (King 73). Scorer: Lewis 90+4 Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)