David Hurley missed from the penalty spot as Galway United lost to a last gasp Drogheda United winner at Eamonn Deacy Park.
United were left to rue Hurley's miss from six yards as Jago Godden fired a right-footed sucker-punch into the United net in the 90th minute. John Caulfield's side put in an encouraging display but one lapse in defensive concentration cost them the share of the points on the opening night of the Premier Division season.
John Caulfield mentioned the need to turn Eamonn Deacy Park into a "fortress this week" and Jimmy Keohane led out his side to a raucous Terryland crowd, as Block F unveiled a tifo to welcome their men to a new Premier Division season.
Much has been made of the players that have left United but Caulfield's side started with six players from last season's squad. A nice blend of continuity with unfamiliarity.
The five-at-the-back returned with new recruits Aaron Parker and Lee Devitt lining out at wing back. Debutants Wasiri Williams and Gianfranco Facchianeri flanking Brouder in the middle.
Hurley and Aaron Bolger lined out in a midfield pivot with captain Keohane more advanced. Talisman Stephen Walsh and the returning Francely Lamboto partnered up front.
The first five minutes saw a passage of play hard to come by. Both sides played direct with a battle for second balls taking importance. The largest United roar came for a Bolger shielding it out of play.
However, the Tribesmen really grew into the contest. In typical Caulfield style, the back five were solid and gave little away. Facchianeri established himself early, looking very accomplished.
Wasiri Williams had a shaky start to his debut, but managed to overcome his early wobbles to put in a beautifully timed challenge to deny Oluwa an early goal-of-the-sason contender as he dribbled almost 40-yards through United's midfield and into the area.
From that point on, Drogheda struggled to create against a stubborn, well-drilled United defence. Set-pieces looked there most promising avenue to goal.
United's in possession play improved. Devitt was a constant outlet on the left touchline, connecting well with Hurley and Lamboto. Lamboto looked right for to it on his return to Eamonn Deacy Park.
Williams' growing importance was epitomised as he went closest for United on two separate occasions. First in the 11th minute; a searching Killian Brouder cross landed on the head and his header just crept wide.
On the 25th minute mark, a wayward clearance from a Drogs defender found its way to Facchianeri on the edge of the six-yard box. He headed back across goal to Williams, whose header rattled off the crossbar. The ball then fell to Keohane for what looked a certain opener. But he screwed his shot across goal and just wide of the post.
United's last big chance before the break fell to Walsh. A heavy touch from Lamboto's cutback led to a nasty clash between United's number seven and Conor Kane. The United striker would have been disappointed with his touch but relieved that he only saw yellow from referee Oliver Moran.
The sides went in level at the interval.
United flew out the traps after with encouraging attacking play. Walsh went close with a header on the 47th minute after a Hurley cross from a short Brouder throw.
The next passage of play saw good United ball retention as possession was recycled back to Brouder who slipped in Devitt after a diving run through the middle of the Drogs midfield. Devitt slipped as he crossed but he still managed to find Keohane who failed to adjust his body and get over the ball as his shot skewed over the bar.
On 63 mins, United were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Parker received the ball on the right wing and threaded ball through the lines to the underlapping Keohane. United's captain's touch draws the Drogs defender foul and penalty awarded.
Hurley steps up. Eamonn Deacy Park holds it's breath.
The number 10 sends Dennison the wrong way, but his penalty sails wide of the post. A golden opportunity scorned.
Hurley's penalty miss enthused Drogheda, and they squandered a guilt-edged chance on the 72nd minute after Ethan O'Brien cut inside from the left and whipped an inch-perfect cross onto Warren Davis's dome. The substitute headed a tame effort into Evan Watts' hands from three-yards out.
Lamboto almost capped off a fantastic display with a goal after an incisive through-ball from Matty Wolfe found the striker, but his left-footed shot was fired straight into Dennisson's hands.
Bolger's low-drive cross from the left wing resulted in a Walsh flick-on which fell to Parker at the edge of the area. His right-footed shot got a ferocious deflection that saw his effort just whistle just over the crossbar.
Right on the 90th minute mark saw the game's opening goal. A long throw saw the Droghdea striker hold the ball up in the penalty area, the ball was played back to Godden who rifled his shot into the bottom right corner.
United's defence, that had been solid all night, had been breached. Such heartbreak for Caulfield's men after such an impressive defensive display to give away such a cheap goal.
United's last big chance of the day fell to Devitt on his weaker foot at the edge of the area. Another new boy, Kris Twardek with superb work to fashion a crossing opportunity and found Devitt on the edge of the box. On his weaker right-foot, his shot trickled wide.
As Moran blew his whistle, a collective sigh of disappointment descended upon Eamonn Deacy Park. What would have been an encouraging display was overshadowed by a gut-punch at the death.
Still, Caulfield can take encouragement from his side's display. Goal aside, the defensive recruits look right at home. Williams and Facchianeri in particular look shrewd signings. Devitt was a constant threat on the left-flank. Lamboto and Walsh renewed their partnership immediately.
It doesn't get any easier for the Tribesmen either. They travel away to St Patricks Athletic next Friday night.
