First Division Round-Up: Athlone stun Drogheda while Bray go top after win over UCD

The First Division title race took another turn tonight at United Park, where hosts Drogheda United fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Athlone Town. 

Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers went top of the table after a convincing 3-1 win away to UCD.

Elsewhere, Wexford succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat versus Shamrock Rovers II at Ferrycarrig Park.

However, most of the night’s drama took place at United Park as Drogheda were stunned by Athlone Town.

Ronan Manning netted from the spot for the Blue and Black of the Midlands in the 70th minute before Dundalk loanee Taner Dogan scored a sensational second with just under ten minutes to play.

The Drogs have now dropped back into second following Bray’s win away to UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

The Seagulls produced a dominant second-half display to see off UCD by three goals to one.

The result all but ends UCD’s feint title hopes while Gary Cronin’s side maintained their title ambitions themselves.

The Seagulls took a first-half lead through Gary Shaw in the third minute, but they were pegged back three minutes before the break after Colm Whelan’s twelfth league goal of the season.



However, the Students struggled in the second-half and were punished following goals from both sub Darragh Lynch and Man of the Match Dylan Barnett.

Meanwhile, Wexford could not back up their 5-1 win away to Cabinteely as they lost 2-0 at home to Shamrock Rovers II.

The Young Hoops secured all three points through goals from Brandon Kavanagh and Dylan Duffy.

Craig Giles was sent off for the Slaneysiders to compound a bad night at the office for Brian O’Sullivan’s side.

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