FULL TIME: A game that was settled by an early goal this contest was packed with plenty of incidents and tension. Dean Williams' lone goal in a hectic Head in the Game Park was the decider of this tie, as Dundalk lost ground on league leaders Shamrock Rovers. Dundalk was unable to handle Kevin Doherty's well-organised Drogheda United, and the Boyne siders will now hold the Louth Derby bragging rights.

CHANCE: Darragh Nugent steals the ball off Daniel Kelly and hits an impressive effort and Sheppard was left grasping for air but it flies just wide.

Five added minutes here.

Dundalk is huffing and puffing but they cannot for the life of them break this house down. It looks like for the second time this season they will leave Drogheda empty-handed.

Greg Sloggett is replaced by Sam Bone - Dundalk's last roll of the dice.

Stephen Bradley is on and he replaces David McMillan.

Massive chance for Dundalk there as Daniel Kelly broke free and he opted for a long-range effort to try and beat McCabe but the keeper held the effort well.

David McMillan breaks down the right and he sends in a teasing cross for Keith Ward but McCabe was alert to the danger and got his hands there first.

Dayle Rooney is replaced by Ryan Brennan.

OFF THE LINE: Dundalk have two chances in quick succession cleared as Greg Sloggett and Ryan O'Kane go close but both opportunities are cleared off the line.

SAVE: Dean Williams broke free of the now Dundalk back three and was one on one with Sheppard who got a hand to the shot and blocked the effort.

Keith Ward, Ryan O'Kane and Patrick Hoban are set to come on, they replace Paul Doyle, Joe Adams and Lewis Macari.

Drogheda pressing high and trying to add a second, they have had crosses into the Dundalk area but can convert neither opportunity.

The first attempt on goal sees Darragh Leahy header which was a tame effort towards Colin McCabe.

SECOND HALF: We are back underway at Head in the Game Park - no changes for either side.

Dundalk hasn’t come from behind to win away from home in almost 12 months since beating Levadia Tallinn in the Europa Conference League on July 29th 2021. On that occasion, David McMillan and Will Patching scored to cancel out Ernest Agyiri’s 17th-minute opener.

HALF TIME: Story of the half so far - One goal in two minutes, thirteen fouls and six yellow cards. Chances galore and a game that has been played faster than some cars on the M1 between these two towns. It's been quite the game so far.

For a foul on Paul Doyle - Dean Williams is booked.

Robbie Benson is booked.

Daniel Kelly breaks down the left and with some quick feet he has a shot but he fires wide from the edge of the area.

Evan Weir also goes into the book for a foul on Sloggett.

Dale Rooney is the second player to get a yellow card.

TWO CHANCES: At either end, both sides come close - Dean Williams almost latched onto a cross to make it 2-0 and immediately from that Robbie Benson just missed a connection to make it 1-1. This game is being played at a frightening pace.

For a foul on Daniel Kelly - Luke Heeney is booked and there is a free kick on the edge of the area.

Bit of a moment here: The ball went out of play and Stephen O'Donnell and a Drogheda player clashed resulting in a bit of a contentious moment. Both benches were involved but Neil Doyle calmed everything down.

An early change for Drogheda as Darragh Nugent is on for Adam Foley.

CHANCE: Sloggetts cross could only be parried by McCabe and on the recycled ball Doyle's effort takes a deflection for a corner. Dundalk asking plenty of questions of the Drogheda defence at the moment.

CHANCE: Another big chance for Dundalk and both David McMillan and Joe Adams have sights on goal but neither could convert, Dundalk were rocked by the early concession but they seem determined to put the wrong right.

CHANCE: A clever routine from Dundalk from a corner saw the ball played short to Greg Sloggett but his effort was blocked down en route to goal.

That is the first goal that Dundalk have conceded in 472 minutes and was a run that included five clean sheets in-a-row

CHANCE: A free-kick sent in by Darragh Leahy is met by David McMillan at the back post but his header goes over the bar.

GOAL! The first attack on Dundalk's goal sees a knockdown in the area finds its way to Dean Williams who rifled it into the back of the net with an excellent finish landing in the top corner. What a start!

KICK OFF: We are underway at the Louth Deby!

The teams are out on the pitch and the ground is alight with flares and banners - a real Louth derby atmosphere awaits.

The conditions are perfect for this evening's contest - the weather and the pitch are in pristine condition.

David McMillan has 11 league goals in his career against Drogheda – 13 in all competitions – only scoring more against Derry City. Nine of his goals against Drogheda have been in Dundalk colours. Only Paddy Turner with 14 has scored more goals in Louth Derbies.

Greg Sloggett - who went to school in Drogheda and made his league debut here in August 2014 - was on the scoresheet six years ago today as UCD beat Cabinteely 4-1 at the UCD Bowl.

It’s the 170th Louth Derby match tonight. Dundalk has won 92, and Drogheda has won 37 while there have been 40 draws. It’s also the 100th league meeting between the county rivals. Dundalk has won 54, Drogheda 20, while there have been 25 draws.

Dale Rooney comes in for Ryan Brennan and James Clarke comes in for Darragh Nugent from Drogheda's last match while Dundalk FC are unchanged for tonight's contest.

Good Evening from United Park, Ciaran Callan here to cover tonights Louth derby between Drogheda United and Dundalk FC.