Goal Scorers:

Paul Keegan was again a match-winner as Drogheda United struck late to extend their run at the top of the eircom League, Premier Division, table by picking up three precious points at Richmond Park.

Both teams went into this game unbeaten but it failed to produce the fireworks expected. Perhaps it was the cold, perhaps it was the rain, but neither team struck top form on a night when a draw looked a certainty for a long time.

It was St. Pats who enjoyed the better of the opening half but against a Drogheda defence that has yet to concede a goal in the League, they found chances difficult to create.

Drogheda were a much more effective force in the second half but just when it looked as if they would have to settle for a share of the points Paul Keegan stepped out of the shadows to centre stage.

He raced clear of the St. Pats defence and was cool and collected as he beat goalkeeper Barry Ryan to give Drogheda a fourth consecutive 1-0 win. After scoring winning goals already against Bray Wanderers and Bohemians, Keegan showed again why he has just been voted “Player of the Month” by the members of the Soccer-Writers’ Association.

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Officials
Referee: Paul Tuite
Assistants: Marc Douglas, F Cunningham
Fourth Official: Dave McKeon
Referees' Assessor: S Brady