One goal proved enough against Sean Connor's side who finished the game with 10 men after having one of their debutants red-carded in the final quarter.

And after the match Galway United's management committee issued a vote of no confidence in their manager.

Drogheda, who ran Shamrock Rovers so close last week, made a poor start and their keeper Stephen Trimble twice had to look alert to make diving saves from Bobby Ryan and Alan Murphy.

The right-wing pace of Jinlu Kim, one of two Koreans making their Galway debuts, was causing particular concern, but Drogheda had their own tricky winger in Gavin Brennan and his brilliant delivery from the left was almost touched in by Brian Gannon on 18 minutes.

The visitors' defence was unlocked again two minutes later, though, and this time Drogheda made it count as Stephen Quigley picked out Tiarnan Mulvenna who toe-poked past the advancing Conor Winn.

The remainder of the half was a dour affair, with defences on top and both sides restricted to shots from distance - none of which gave respective keepers Trimble and Winn any concern.

Two minutes before the break Dinny Corcoran almost doubled Drogheda's advantage when he flicked a Peter McMahon free kick narrowly wide at the near post.

Galway created a couple of half chances early in the second half, but Trimble remained untroubled and on 57 minutes it was Winn called into action, saving low to his left from Gannon after a brilliant move started by a delightful Mulvenna dummy.

And on 64 Mulvenna was put through by Brennan and his attempted head-flick was parried by Winn. The rebound fell to Mulvenna whose second header grazed the post.

Moments later Drogheda won a corner, from which Alan McNally somehow shot over the bar from inside the six-yard area.

Galway's chances of rescuing something from the game began considerably harder when they had their other Korean player Yob Son sent off following a nasty clash of heads with Brennan.

Pictured - Yob Son being sent off by referee Padraig Sutton...

After that it was one-way traffic towards the Galway goal and the Boynesiders held on comfortably for the three points.

Drogheda United: 1 Stephen Trimble; 8 Stephen Quigley, 5 Alan McNally, 3 Dave Rogers 3 Philip Hand; 4 Brian Gannon, 6 Lee Lynch, 2 Peter McMahon, 7 Gavin Brennan; 10 Tiarnan Mulvenna, 9 Dinny Corcoran (18 Jordan White 50min).

Subs not used: 12 Mark O'Brien, 14 Cillian Thompson, 15 Robbie Clarke, 16 Robbie Gaul, 17 Shane Dolan, 13 Ciaran Bizzell.

Galway United: 1 Conor Winn; 2 Evan Kelly, 5 Eric Browne, 6 Yob Son, 3 Stephen Walsh; 9 Jinlu Kim, 4 Paul Sinnott, 8 Gary Kelly, 7 Bobby Ryan; 10 Alan Murphy, 11 Ronan Cauldwell.

Subs not used: 12 Oscar Sibanda, 14 Eric Holland, 15 Rory Gartland, 18 Darragh Duggan.

Pictured - Ronan Caldwell battles with Dave Rogers for possession.