Drogheda United 0-2 Sporting Fingal

Late goals from Robbie Doyle and Conan Byrne sent Sporting Fingal into the EA Sports Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Premier Division strugglers Drogheda United.

Both managers fielded sides similar to those that lined out in the league last Friday, although Drogheda's only fit striker, teenager William Woods, had to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench.

The home side were first on the attack and Sporting keeper Darren Quigley had to be fully alert to block a Davie O'Connor shot in the seventh minute.

But the visitors made better use of the possession they had and began to create some good opportunities themselves.

Eamon Zayed, making his first return to United Park since leaving the Drogs, tested keeper Paul Skinner from distance and should have scored on the half-hour when he glanced a header wide from Shaun Williams' corner.

Conor Kenna twice blocked shots from Ross Gaynor and Fiachra McArdle as Sporting began to take control, but it remained scoreless at the break.

Drogheda improved in the second half and Quigley made another fine save from O'Connor, before Jamie Duffy back-heeled into the side netting from a corner.

It took a brilliant reaction save from Skinner to deny Byrne in the 78th minute, but two minutes later the visitors struck.

James Chambers gave the ball away carelessly in midfield and substitute Doyle took full advantage, bearing down on goal before shooting past Skinner.

And deep into stoppage time, Byrne ran from his own penalty area to seal victory, after Skinner had gone forward for a Drogheda corner.

Drogheda United: Skinner, Ryan, McNally, Kenna, R Clarke, Whelan, Chambers, Salmon, Shiels, O'Connor, Duffy. Subs: Barrett for Salmon (64min), Woods for O'Connor (85min).

Sporting Fingal: Quigley, Bayly, Gannon, Whelan, Frost, C Byrne, Kirby, Williams, McArdle, Gaynor, Zayed. Subs: Doyle for McArdle (72min).

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).

- Report courtesy of RTE.ie