Eddie Patterson's side were playing their first Setanta Cup match

"We could have snatched a draw with that, plus we had the ball kicked off the line twice," said Patterson.

"It was maybe a fair result in the end but on the effort the lads put in, maybe they could have got a draw.

"We could have been two or three down at the break and a few things were said at half-time to shake the boys up."

"We didn't do ourselves justice in that half but after the interval we played the type of football we are capable of playing, passed it about well and created a few chances.

"At half-time we spoke about composure on the ball, passing and movement off the ball and the boys applied themselves well in the second half.

"We gave them too much respect in the first half and sat off them a bit. After that, we played some good stuff, some neat football and created a few chances, although, on the night, Drogheda probably deserved to win."

Patterson is hopeful that Barry Holland, who had to retire hurt with a dead leg, will be "patched up and ready" for Saturday's Irish Cup quarter-final with Cliftonville.

"It's a big game for the lads but we will be up for it and tailor our training methods on Friday night to get the boys freshened up.

"We are used to playing games in midweek and on Saturday so it will just be a matter of checking on the injuries."