History remains alive. At this stage of the season, neither side would have been satisfied with a point each here in their own battles at opposite ends of the table. With title challengers Shelbourne and Derry City both winning their fixtures tonight, only three points would do for Shamrock Rovers to keep the pace with two games to go.
And it looked like the spoils would be shared at Weavers Park until a late moment of pure magic from Dylan Watts handed the champions a massive victory to keep their five-in-a-row hopes alive. Stephen Bradley watched from the stands as his side enjoyed the better chances in front of 2,357, but they didn’t have it all their own way as FAI Cup finalists Drogheda battled hard, with Douglas James-Taylor missing a gilt-edged first-half chance to take the lead. But Rovers stayed patient as the 85th minute breakthrough came in impressive fashion - a thunderbolt from 30 yards.
It was just Watts’ second league goal of the campaign, but it could prove crucial as the Tallaght side kept the pressure on the top two in their quest for history. It’s as you were in terms of the title race, as Rovers remain in third, level on 55 points with second-placed Derry and two off leaders Shels. The defeat was a big blow for Drogheda’s hopes of avoiding ninth and the promotion/relegation play-off, as eighth-placed Bohemians could open a seven-point gap should they win in Sligo on Saturday evening.
The visitors started strongly as a fine through ball by Jack Byrn.