Ryan Brennan showed Damien Duff exactly what he was missing with a two-goal display as Drogheda United put a halt to Shelbourne’s momentum.

Dayle Rooney, like Brennan a player who turned out for Shels last season, also netted and set up both of his team-mate’s goals in a memorable comeback win for the hosts.

Jack Moylan had handed the visitors an early lead but it was to prove a false dawn with the Reds’ three-match winning sequence coming to an end. For Drogheda, there is now even more space between them and the bottom two which should end fears of a late season collapse.

Drogheda United 🤝 Wondergoals

Ryan Brennan with a wonderful strike on a night of great goals – what technique! 👌@DroghedaUnited 3-1 @shelsfc

Watch live 📺 | https://t.co/7rzXOfm8p9#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/EKxg3tkR3Q

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) August 12, 2022

At kick-off, Shels were the only team that United had failed to take a point from in Premier Division action this season. United have beaten Dundalk twice and taken four points from champions Shamrock Rovers but a failure to defeat either of the league’s bottom two this month had manager Kevin Doherty reminding supporters that nothing could be taken for granted.

The hosts kicked off in their change strip of black and red. After Shels arrived with their white and sky blue away kit in two, it was deemed that the Drogs would be unable to turn out in their familiar claret-and-blue combination.

Doherty made four changes to the team slumped to defeat against Finn Harps in Ballybofey last week. Keith Cowan, Dylan Grimes, Ryan Brennan and Dean Williams were introduced, while attacker Adam Foley was missing for the hosts.

Following the postponement of their clash with a stranded St Patrick’s Athletic last week, Shels hadn’t