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Drogheda held again as Galway earn draw

Friday 7th September 2007, 11:13 pm

Guy Bates, Drogheda United.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Drogheda United old boy John Lester struck to give Galway United a 1-1 draw against the Drogs at Terryland Park tonight and again deny the Drogs a much needed win in their pursuit of a first League of Ireland title.

Going into the game having failed to win in their three previous league games - including a 2-2 draw with Galway - Drogheda again started sluggishly.

Grahaham Gartland missed an early chance for the visitors but Galway did well in the early going. John Fitzgerald forced Drogheda keeper Dan Connor into a save before the Drogs finally stepped up a gear.

They almost got a reward on the half hour but Shane Robinson headed Simon Webb's cross against the crossbar.

Gary Rogers was also called into action either side of half-time to keep the league leaders out.

He was finally beaten on 64 minutes when former Newcastle United player Guy Bates scored his first goal for the Drogs. Bates slotted home after being played in by strike partner Eamon Zayed to finally break through Rogers' defences.

The lead lasted only six minutes though as Lester drilled home a stunning 70th minute equaliser. The Galway midfielder stepped up to a thirty yard free kick and fired past Connor to level at 1-1.

Galway might even have won the game in the dying moments but another point for the Tribesmen keeps them ahead of the bottom three at least.

Drogheda may have extended their lead at the top to eight points but second placed Shamrock Rovers now have a game in hand.

Galway United : Rogers, Nootimer, Fitzgerald, Lester, Keane, Cooke (Russell 70), O'Halloran, Murphy, O'Brien, O'Flynn, Glynn (Faherty 61).
Drogheda United : Connor, Shelley, Gartland, Gavin, Webb, Baker, Byrne (Keegan 62), Robinson, Cahill, Bates (O'Keefe 74)(Grant 86), Zayed.