Cliftonville celebrate after Francis Murphy had made it 1-1

Eamon Zayed's 40th-minute header gave the holders the lead but Francis Murphy equalised with a direct free-kick 12 minutes into the second half.

Richie Baker pounced from close-range to restore Drogheda's lead and Zayed headed in another.

Sub Mark Holland volleyed in a second for Cliftonville who had midfielder Barry Holland stretchered off.

That will be another injury worry for Cliftonville boss Eddie Patterson ahead of Saturday's Irish Cup game against Portadown as well as important league matches.

Zayed's opener came from a shot corner played to defender Brian Shelley who had space to cross into the danger area to set up the flicked header.

Late in the half Murphy cleared off the from Paul Keegan.

A foul on John Martin led to Murphy scoring the north Belfast club's first first Setanta Cup goal.

Baker then pounced from close-range to put Drogheda ahead again in the 74th minute.

After Drogheda went 3-2 up, Cliftonville's Davy McAlinden had an effort cleared off the line.

Right at the end the Irish league side appealed for a penalty when keeper Mikko Vilmunen clattered into Mark Holland but referee David Malcolm waved away the claims.