League Report: Bohemians 0-1 Drogheda United

A last minute minute header by substitute Tiarnán Mulvenna gave Drogheda United a 1-0 win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

The victory gave Johnny McDonnell's side all three points and sees them enter the top half of the Premier Division table, while Keith Long's men will count themselves unlucky having shown for most of the game why they are 10 points clear of the United Park outfit.
 

The first-half produced very few chances, the best of which fell to Karl Moore who headed over the bar from close range after just 14 minutes. Ismahil Akinade's first-half performance leading the frontline was a mixed bag – full of good positioning, but a poor first touch when it counted. However, Akinade improved during the second-half when he played in a deeper position.

Bohs were in control for most of the opening 45, and though Drogs looked good on the counter-attack at times, neither team were able to produce many clear-cut opportunities.

The second-half started off at the same pace as the first, neither side risking too many men forward. United's Lee Duffy had the first chance of the half but his effort was always rising over the crossbar.

It was in the 60^th minute that the game finally came to life. It felt like Bohs had a free-kick or corner every minute. Resident set-piece specialist Lorcan Fitzgerald was standing over every one of them – the first was just inches too high for Derek Prendergast to reach, while the next two were defended well by Stephen Maher and United goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermaan.

Five minutes later, Anto Murphy was Fitzgerald's target. However, Murphy was booked either for cuddling up to the defender or possibly due to his disagreement with referee Derek Tomney over the original infringement. Within seconds of this, Keith Buckley found himself one-on-one with Schlingermaan, however his shot went straight into the 'keeper's arms.

Drogs looked dangerous on the break anytime they regained possession from Bohs, who pressed forward in numbers. Duffy actually had the ball in the net for the visitors, firing low between Bohs 'keeper Dean Delaney's legs, but the United front-man had been flagged offside.

Minutes later, Duffy found himself free in the middle of the box but a timely intervention from Prendergast stopped an excellent Tiarnán Mulvenna cross from reaching him. The former Drogheda defender saved the day again a minute later when his diving header blocked Duffy's goalbound shot from the edge of the area.

Having come on as a 72^nd minute substitute, Mulvenna was involved in most of Drogheda's best attacks in the closing stages. Indeed, the 26 year old would have the final say as he scored the match-winning goal in the 90^th minute. Sean Thornton's corner from the right-hand side reached Mulvenna, whose header curled into the net near the back-post.

Next Friday, Drogheda will hope to continue their recent good form as they host the Louth derby when Dundalk travel to United Park. Drogs were the last team to beat Dundalk by a three-goal margin, winning 4-1 in March 2014.

Bohemians have a friendly game against Scottish Premier League side Hearts on Wednesday, with the Gypsies' next league game taking place the following Saturday when they travel to the City Calling Stadium to take on Longford Town.

Bohemian FC: Dean Delany; Anto Murphy, Derek Prendergast, Dave Mulcahy, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Roberto Lopes; Karl Moore (Paddy Kavanagh, 77), Keith Buckley, Adam Evans; Dean Kelly, Ismahil Akinade.

Subs not used: Lee Steacy; Stephen Best, James O'Brien, Robbie Creevy, Kealon Dillon.

Bookings: Murphy (65) .

Drogheda United: Micheál Schlingermann; Michael Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman; Cathal Brady, Sean Thornton, Stephen Maher, Adam Whelan (Carl Walshe, 46), Jason Marks (Tiarnán Mulvenna, 72); Lee Duffy (Fionn Reilly, 86).

Subs Not Used: Evin Farrell; Manuel Kaguako, Sam McGowan, Lloyd Buckley.

Yellow Cards:Duffy (8), O'Reilly (64), Byrne (71).

Referee:Derek Tomney

Attendance:1762.

Extratime Man of the Match:Tiarnán Mulvenna (Drogheda United).