Disappointed Drogheda boss Kevin Doherty impressed by new Brandywell surface

Doherty's Drogs lost only once in their last eight visits to the old 4G surface but despite seeing his team lose out to goals from Cameron Dummigan and Adam O'Reilly, Doherty had nothing but praise for the new surface which he believes is a superb addition to the League of Ireland.

"It is very impressive. It is great," he reflected after the 2-0 defeat, "I never liked to be disrespectful but no one liked playing on the 4G pitch. (The new pitch) played very well. and I'm sure it may even take a while to settle completely or whatever.

"No, we certainly won't be coming up here complaining about the pitch or making any excuse for it. Ironically we had a good recent record up here, I think Derry only beat us once in eight games so we have to congratulate Derry City. I think it's great.

"This new pitch will certainly help Derry more than anyone because the old pitch was probably a hindrance given the quality that Derry have. The old pitch wasn't helping them so, no, fair play to the club, it's brilliant. It almost completes the stadium. There are maybe plans for a few more things but it’s an excellent stadium and excellent pitch."

Doherty, whose name has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Shelbourne, has consistently kept Drogheda punching above their weight throughout his time in charge but he refused to make excuses for his team's poor display on the night.

"I'm disappointed," he added, "I don't think there was a massive amount in the game. Derry had that wonder strike, we hit the bar - if that goes in it’s a great goal - and then they score in the 91st minute which is a killer because it puts a gloss on the game.

"I thought we could come up here and win - Derry, to be fair, they left it all out there at Tallaght the other night - but we didn't. We can gloss over it all you want but we didn't have a shot on target all game."

Doherty admitted his team had failed to unsettle Tiernan Lynch's troops as they have so often in the recent past.

"The ball is going up and not sticking," he explained, "The ball is being passed off the pitch, being mis-controlled; we are losing duels - I think Liam Boyce won a lot - so you're not going to do anything with that.

"I can be critical of the players because the players all know I love them, I've great time for all of them but some of the stuff I'm watching.... even the second goal is an example. We have four players in the box and we try to beat someone on half-way and lose it. Again, if it's 0-0 we don't try that but we were chasing the game.

"No, it is disappointing. Very frustrating because I think we can be better. I know the expectations has risen, for whatever reason, but it is frustrating."