Drogheda United end difficult week with narrow victory over Sligo Rovers
The result sees United climb back into second place.
Their quest for European qualification via the league route takes on a whole different dimension now in light of their expulsion from the Uefa Conference League this summer.
While a good display against Shamrock Rovers on Monday did not deliver a positive result, they displayed a determination and rigour against Sligo that will likely form the backbone of the remainder of their season.
Douglas-James Taylor, in what may be one of his last games for the club, scored the winner.
His 12-month loan spell expires in 10 days' time and supporters eagerly await news of his future.
Kevin Doherty certainly looked in a happier state of mind, smiling and joking pre-match in what was a significant change of mood to four days earlier. That might have had something to do with his team's recent record against the Bit O'Red.
Drogheda had won their last three home matches against John Russell's team by an aggregate score of 13-1. James-Taylor's fourth-minute goal added further gloss to that statistic. It owed a lot to Warren Davis winning the ball in midfield.
On another evening, this game could have been a high-scoring encounter. Davis, James-Taylor, Andy Quinn and Shane Farrell all went close to extending Drogheda's lead.
Sligo, for their part, were wasteful. Misfortune and misfire were their downfall. Jad Hakiki and Cian Kavanagh were the main culprits but Drogs goalkeeper Luke Dennison was a hard man to beat.
Drogheda United: Dennison; Cooper, Keeley, Quinn; Cruise (Markey, 46), Heeney, Farrell, Kane; Brennan; James-Taylor, Davis (Oluwa, 79).
Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Reynolds, McElroy (McDonagh, 35), Mahon, Hutchinson; Doyle-Hayes, Mallon (Van Hattum, 69); Elding, Hakiki (Lomboto, 83), Fitzgerald; Waweru (Kavanagh, 69).
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