Eric Mc’s difference
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RELEGATION-THREATENED Finn Harps recorded a much-needed win to move off the foot of the Premier Division table last night.
Two goals from man of the match Eric McWoods and a penalty from Filip Mihaljevic paved the way for a third victory of the campaign for the hosts.
Indeed, this was a first success in 13 league and cup games for Harps.
The Donegalmen went in front in the 22nd minute from the spot. McWoods was taken down in the area and Mihaljevic fired in his fourth goal of the campaign.
The goal really lifted the Ballybofey side, whose last win came in April against Shelbourne, and soon Mihaljevic was nearly in again on two occasions.
With Darragh Markey buzzing and Chris Lyons always sniffing for an opening, Drogheda pushed for an equaliser but were stunned by a second Harps goal on 44 minutes.
Conor Tourish did well to keep the ball in play on the touch line and found Gary Boylan, whose ball onto Mihaljevic was touched on into the path of the McWoods, who fired past Colin McCabe with aplomb.
Chance
A cracking drive from Ryan Connolly to the left of the upright marked the first chance of note in the second half while Gary Deegan saw a free saved by James McKeown, who also denied sub Ryan Brennan.
Harps wrapped it up on 58 minutes when Regan Donelon sent in a cross from the left and McWoods rose to head home at the far post.
Harps boss Ollie Horgan opted to stick with new arrival McKeown in nets, and he looked confident from the start.
After the third goal, the game fizzled out but Harps were good value for this morale-boosting win which is particularly timely as they travel to the Belfield Bowl next Friday for the proverbial six-pointer against UCD.
FINN HARPS: McKeown 7; Boylan 7, Tourish 6, Slevin 7; Boyle 7 (Carrillo, 88 mins), N’zeyi 6, Connolly 7, Donelon 7; McNamee 7 (TImlin, 90 mins); Mihaljevic 7 (Rainey 6, 70 mins), McWoods 8. DROGHEDA UNITED: McCabe 6; Poynton 7; Quinn 6, Massey 6, Weir 6; Foley 6 (Williams 6, 60 mins), Deegan 6, Nugent 6 (Brennan 6, h-t), Rooney 6; Markey 7 (Grimes 6, 64 mins), Lyons 7 (Arong 6, 75 mins).
Referee: D. Mc Graith (Mayo) 7.