Harps led through a Johnny Gallagher goal after a half-an-hour and were on top for the most part, but couldn't capitalise on their greater share of possession at they held just the solitary goal lead at the break.

The momentum was taken out of the Harps men just before half time when impressive centre back Christopher Murrin was forced to withdraw from the contest due to a knee injury.

Thereafter though Harps did have their chances to double the advantage but could find no second breakthrough.

Gary Crossan was denied a wonder goal by the Drogheda 'keeper who tipped the Killea man's enterprising chip over the bar while Michael Funston was also denied by a fine save.

At the other end, Liam Mailey was also in fine form as he denied the Drogs an equaliser with a superb full length dive, but the Convoy native was powerless five minutes from time as the home side got back on level terms to earn a share of the spoils.

Gallagher- On the mark twice

Harps manager Sean McGowan was impressed with his side's display and paid tribute to the young players he has brought to the club in recent weeks and pointed to a number of his men who have progressed to the senior ranks.

"I thought we played very well on Sunday and I think we deserved more out of it to be honest, but their attitude is great and we just need now to learn to defend these one goal leads," he said.

"I was just looking back to the side we had out at the start of the season and there must be ten different players there now and we've lost some great players who have now gone to the first team," continued the Under21 manager.

In recent weeks the Harps manager's hand has been weakened with suspension and injury hampering both first team and under 21s, but Sean McGowan was praiseworthy of the Ulster Senior League and Letterkenny Rovers for changing the USL game due to take place last Sunday.

"We'd like to thank Letterkenny and the Ulster Senior League for moving that game. At the moment a good few of the boys play U21 and Senior and similarly a load of them would play USL and U21 so is that game (the Ulster Senior League game V Letterkenny) had been on Sunday we would've been weak enough so it's good that the League saw that and allowed us to move it," he added.

With the U21 season nearing a conclusion, one would expect many of these players to be turning out in the USL on a regular basis and their experience of the U21 league will do them in good stead.

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; James Doherty, Barry Mulligan, Christopher Murrin, Glen Rainey; Brian Lafferty, Danny Keohane, Cathal Sharkey, Michael Funston; Gary Crossan, Johnny Gallagher. Subs: Barry Tourish (for Murrin); Alan Gethins (for Keohane).