Mandroiu comes up with the goods for Rovers in stoppage-time
By Daire Walsh
FOR the second time in the space of four days, Shamrock Rovers conjured up a stoppage-time winner to earn all three points in an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash.
Sean Gannon had struck in the 93rd minute as the defending champions came from behind to edge out newly-promoted Longford Town in Tallaght Stadium last Saturday.
And there was even later intervention tonight as Danny Mandroiu headed home with just under 95 minutes on the clock to give the Hoops a 1-0 victory at the expense of 2020 First Division champions Drogheda.
As a result of their weekend win over Longford, Stephen Bradley’s men had moved to the summit of the top-flight table.
As expected, the visitors were on top of possession during the early exchanges as Drogheda sought to dig in defensively.
While opportunities were often hard to come by, the in-form Rory Gaffney did have a volley cleared off the line on the 20-minute mark.
Gannon almost got on the end of a cross shortly beforehand and Sean Hoare headed wide in the closing minutes of the opening period.
This was as close as Rovers came to finding a breakthrough, however, and the sides were ultimately scoreless at the break.
With Drogs proving to be stubborn opponents, Bradley introduced Lee Grace and Mandroiu off the bench with 20 minutes left to play.
The hosts looked set to hold out for a hard-earned share of the spoils, but there was to be a final twist in the tale.
Rising to meet a Dylan Watts free-kick from the right-hand side, Mandroiu headed powerfully to the net to break the stubborn Drogheda resistance.
As a result, the Hoops are now deadlocked with Sligo Rovers in top spot, both teams on 14 points with nine goals scored and just four conceded.