Derry escape Drogheda with a point after late stroke of luck
The clock had just entered the 90th minute of play when Thomas struck a speculative effort from range that Drogheda goalkeeper Luke Dennison looked to have covered.
However, a huge deflection off Ryan Brennan saw the ball divert course and trickle into the far corner of the net with Dennison stranded. Brennan was the late hero in United's last home game but the tables had turned here.
Drogheda looked set fair to bounce back from last week's disappointing defeat at Tallaght Stadium with yet another victory over City in recent times.
For much of this game, it looked like they could extend their winning sequence against these opponents to four games.
Elicha Ahui was Player of the Match in November's FAI Cup final against Derry, shackling Michael Duffy so impressively that day. He had also previously scored a winner against Foylesiders, a little over two years ago.
He was at it again here, heading in Owen Lambe's corner five minutes before the break. Shane Farrell, United's set piece specialist, was suspended but they didn't suffer, with the Californian providing quality from the dead ball.
The visitors created nothing in the opening 75 minutes of play. Dennison was untroubled and the United defence, marshalled superbly by Conor Keeley, looked solid.
Lynch brought on striker Danny Mullen for makeshift wing back Ciaron Harkin at half time but it was his substitutes later in the game that proved pivotal.
Pat Hoban went close to a leveller but he struck his effort into the ground rather than true. He had scored plenty of goals against Drogheda over the years, mostly for Dundalk and recently for Derry.
United should have had a second but on two occasions, Thomas Oluwa couldn't score. His first shot was wide, his second effort was a header saved by Brian Maher.
Kevin Doherty had earlier in the day signed a new two-year contract to commit his future to the Louth club. His day will have been spoiled somewhat by the nature of Drogs' late concession however.
Scottish midfielder Thomas – another substitute - picked a perfect time to notch his first goal for the Candystripes. When Thomas took aim late on, it took a huge deflection off Drogs captain Brennan and trickled in.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui, Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Owen Lambe, Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Conor Kane; Warren Davis (Bridel Bosakani, 88); Douglas James-Taylor (Scott Brady, 75), Thomas Oluwa.
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