Dennison stands tall as Drogheda hold St Pat's
Luke Dennison and his defence proved unbeatable as Drogheda United played out a third scoreless draw of the season with St Patrick's Athletic.
The American goalkeeper saved a first half penalty from Mason Melia before denying Simon Power with another fine stop in the second half.
Though they drop to third place in the table, Kevin Doherty's side stretch their unbeaten run to five games ahead of a big day on Monday when the club go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the hope of gaining re-entry to the UEFA Conference league prior to hosting Shamrock Rovers that night.
St Pat's remain in fourth spot.
Drogheda settled the better, forcing three successive corners before having the first sight of goal on 15 minutes.
In a swift counter, Warren Davis worked a neat one-two with Douglas James-Taylor to work Joseph Anang.
St Pat's responded with their first attack of note, centre-back Tom Grivosti glancing a header inches wide from a Jay McClelland corner before they really should have been in front from a 23rd-minute penalty.
Having nicked the ball off McClelland in tracking back, James-Taylor accidentally stood on the ankle of Kian Leavy just inside the area.
Melia stepped up from 12 yards, but his effort was well saved by Dennison diving to his left.
The Saints were screaming for a second penalty minutes later when a combination of Dennison and George Cooper collided with Melia.
Drogheda then had a fair shout for a spot kick of their own ignored just past the half hour when Davis appeared to be bundled over by Ryan McLaughlin.
The game opened up on the resumption with the sides swapping early chances.
Drogheda were first up with skipper Ryan Brennan surging forward to pick out James-Taylor who swivelled to shoot narrowly wide.
A McClelland cross then caught Drogheda square at the back, though Elbouzedi, despite having time and space, shot straight at Dennison.
But Dennison was there again to make his second telling stop of the night when diving to his right to clasp Power's header.
Leavy then hit a post in a right scramble in the visitors' area.
But defending defiantly, they always remained in the game with James-Taylor bringing a tip-over save from Anang late on.
St Patrick's Athletic: Anang; McLaughlin, Redmond, Grivosti, Breslin; Lennon, McClelland; Elbouzedi (Mulraney, 61), Leavy (Kavanagh, 68), Power (Carty, 88); Melia (Keena, 68).
Drogheda United: Dennison; Quinn, Keeley, Cooper; Lambe, Heeney (Farrell, 56), Brennan, Kane (Cruise, 64); Markey; Davis (Oluwa 56), James-Taylor.
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.
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