Paul McAreavey celebrates after equalising for Linfield

The Eircom League side dominated the game but missed a host of chances with Damien Lynch having his 56th minute penalty saved by Alan Mannus.

Paul McAreavey's header on 67 minutes put Linfield ahead only for Tony Grant to hit the top corner 10 minutes later.

Linfield's Mark Dickson and Aidan O'Kane missed their penalties as the Drogs won the shoot-out 4-3.

Drogheda dominated the first half but the Eircom League side failed to make it count.

Blues keeper Alan Mannus tipped over an early Lynch shot.

Linfield were forced to make a 14th minute substitution with Tim McCann replacing the injured Pat McShane at left full-back.

The Drogs came closest to an opener a minute later with Eamon Sayed hitting a low shot against a post and Shane Robinson firing wide with the rebound.

Another glorious chance was wasted on 17 minutes when Cahill surged clear only to underhit his lob and the ball dropped short for Mannus to save.

Stuart Byrne struck narrowly wide before side-footing over the bar from 10 yards.

Linfield created their first chance in injury-time with Glenn Ferguson heading over from Mark Dickson's corner.

Drogheda continued to boss affairs at the start of the second half but again they wasted golden opportunities.

Sayed had just Mannus to beat in the 50th minute but his tame shot was easily saved.

Linfield striker Peter Thompson limped off with a hamstring injury four minutes later with Michael Gault his replacement.

Referee Adrian McCourt awarded United a penalty when Declan O'Brien dispossessed McAreavey and the Linfield midfielder pulled the forward back as he ran towards goal.

But Mannus guessed right and smothered Lynch's weak strike.

Drogheda, who lost Simon Webb and O'Brien to injuries, were punished for their errant finishing after 67 minutes with McAreavey re-directing William Murphy's header into the net.

But United were level 10 minutes later when substitute Grant hit the top corner with a superb 14-yard strike.

Grant had the last chance in normal time but his 89th minute turn and shot was kept out by Mannus.

The first good opening in extra-time came in the second period when Sayed failed to get a good connection eight yards out, allowing Mannus to collect easily.

Blues striker Mark Dickson had a goalbound shot deflected wide before hitting a powerful volley which keeper Mikko Vilmunen pushed clear.

Linfield converted their first three penalties through Jim Ervin, Tim Mouncey and Ferguson.

Mannus saved the first penalty from Lynch but failed to keep out strikes from Grant, Steven Bradley and Robinson.

The misses from Dickson and O'Kane gave Byrne the chance to win it and he made no mistake to clinch a deserved victory for Paul Doolan's team.

Linfield: Mannus, McShane, Murphy, Ervin, O'Kane, McAreavey, Mulgrew, Dickson, Ferguson, Thompson, Bailie.