Greene on target as Rovers squeeze past Drogheda

Daire Walsh

They were made to work for the three points on offer, but Shamrock Rovers ultimately came away with a 1-0 win over Drogheda United in an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash at Head In The Game Park this afternoon.

Kilnamanagh native Aaron Greene got the all-important goal in the 54th-minute as the Hoops extended their winning streak in all competitions to eight games.

Having seen Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic move level on points with them courtesy of a Friday night triumph at the expense of Waterford, the champions were hoping to avoid any slip-ups in the County Louth venue.

After doing the business on their travels, Rovers have now restored their three-point cushion at the summit of the top-flight table with a game less played than the Saints.

A league winner with Drogheda as a player in 2007, Hoops manager Stephen Bradley knew this was likely to be a tricky affair.

While the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession, their opponents proved difficult to break down. Graham Burke had an early effort deflected behind for a corner and the former Preston North End attacker also threatened with a strike off a Danny Mandroiu set-piece.

The sides remained inseparable at the break, but it took just nine minutes of the second half for Greene to eventually break the Drogheda resistance.

At the end of an excellent team move, Burke’s precise left-wing cross left the 31-year-old with a simple finish from close-range.

Dylan Watts, Rory Gaffney and Gary O’Neill were all introduced off the bench to ensure Rovers maintained their attacking edge.

Although a second goal didn’t materialise, the title holders nonetheless continued their quest for a second successive league crown.