Bohemians 1 - 1 Dundalk FC

A late goal from left back Neil Yadolahi earned Bohemians a 1-1 draw against Dundalk in the Airtricity Premier League at Dalymount Park on Saturday night after Dane Massey had given the visitors a first half lead.

The home side made a bright start to the game. After a couple of set pieces inside the first five minutes they eventually managed to create a shooting opportunity for Ryan McEvoy  but the Bohs midfielder couldn’t keep his effort down from outside the area.

Dundalk soon settled into the match and managed to take the lead in the 18^th minute. John Sullivan played a fine ball from midfield. Dane Massey made a run into the area which wasn’t tracked and he looped his header over Dean Delaney before the ball ended up in the net.

Owen Heary’s side nearly got back on level terms soon after. Karl Moore whipped a free kick into the Dundalk area. John Sullivan did get his head to it but only managed to divert the ball towards his own goal and it just shaved the post.

Stephen Kenny’s team had claims for a penalty in the 37^th minute after Vinny Faherty went down in the box following a challenge from Ryan McEvoy. Faherty looked towards the referee, the Dundalk fans behind the goal wanted a spot kick but Paul Tuite gave nothing.

The visitors should have doubled their lead three minutes from half time when Vinny Faherty was involved again. John Mountney made a fine run down the right hand side and his cross found the Dundalk striker. Faherty turned and got a shot away but his effort was wide of the target.

Bohemians were presented with an excellent chance to equalize 12 minutes into the second half. They were awarded a freekick inside the area after Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie picked up a back pass. Ryan McEvoy eventually rolled it to Stephen Traynor. He struck goalwards but the Dundalk wall got the block in and cleared the danger.

Both sides had plenty of possession as the game developed but chances were hard to come by. That was until 13 minutes from time when the referee was involved again. This time Dundalk were awarded a penalty after Luke Byrne fouled John Mountney in the area. Captain Stephen O’Donnell stepped up to take the kick but casually chipped it over the bar.

The Louth club missed another chance to go two up in the last 10 minutes. John Mountney found himself free in space in the area and was one on one with Dean Delaney. Mountney got his shot away but the Bohemians goalkeeper was out very quickly to make the save.

The visitors were made to pay for those missed chances after the Gypsies equalized in injury time. Peter Cherrie made a fine save from a long range Kevin Devaney shot. Darragh Reynor took the resultant corner and Neil Yadolahi rose highest to head home into the net. The defender then took off his jersey and raced towards the dugout to celebrate another crucial goal in Bohemian’s fight to stay in the premier division.

However for Dundalk that late blow looks to have ended their title hopes. It is a game they will feel they should have won especially after Stephen O’Donnell’s penalty miss and a number of missed opportunities. The result also means that if Saint Patricks Athletic beat Sligo Rovers tomorrow they will win the title.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Neil Yadolahi, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley (Darragh Reynor 60), David Mulchay (c) (Andy Mulligan 60), Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore; Stephen Traynor; Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not used: David Scully, Kevin Devaney, Michael Barker, Greg Murray, Conor Murphy.

Booked: Reynor (77)

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Mark Rossiter, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; John Sullivan, Stephen O'Donnell (c): John Mountney, Kurtis Byrne (Nathan Murphy 84), John Dillon (Francis McCaffrey 60); Vinny Faherty (Patrick Hoban 88).
Subs not used: Tiernan Mulvenna, Stephen McDonnell, Simon Kelly, Conor Winn.

Booked: Gartland (42), S O'Donnell (62), Sullivan (89)

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 2,000 (estimate).

Extratime.ie man of the match: John Mountney (Dundalk).