League Report: Bohemians 0 - 2 Shelbourne

Shelbourne earned the bragging rights at Dalymount Park as second-half strikes saw them ease past Bohemians and remain top of the league.

A largely forgettable North Dublin Derby was brought to life by a Will Jarvis penalty ten minutes from time, before Gavin Molloy guided a Tyreke Wilson delivery home with a delicious glancing header four minutes later.

The win makes it four from five at the start of the season for Damien Duff's side, who are purring at the moment. It's their fourth successive win and their third straight clean sheet, showing that they are making the difference in both boxes.

Early goals had been crucial for Shelbourne in their three successive league wins leading into tonight, and they almost had a goal of the season contender in the first minute when Paddy Barrett's long-range free-kick was tipped over the bar by Kacper Chorazka.

The first half was scrappy but physical, with plenty of hearty tackles, while the Dylan Connolly and Tyreke Wilson battle drew most of the early handbags.

Shelbourne gradually took control of the game, stringing some passes together and winning a flurry of corners, but this encounter was lacking in goalmouth action. A dragged Liam Burt effort was the best they could muster.

Bohemians, smarting from a poor defeat away to Drogheda United on Monday night, struggled to impose themselves on the game, often going long but to no avail, much to the frustration of the Jodi Stand.

Two hapless efforts from former Bohemian Liam Burt were the best of the action in a very forgettable opening half.

Bohemians emerged from a half-time dressing down, rejuvenated, and some early pressure saw Adam McDonnell fire over the bar.

Moments later, Conor Kearns was forced into his first save of the night when Paddy Kirk forced him into a smart stop.

Suddenly, the packed Phibsborough venue sprung into life and let out a roar.

Substitute Martin Miller was introduced from the bench at the break, and it took him time to get to grips with the increased pace of the game. The Estonian got caught in possession as Shels forced an opportunity from a free kick.

Sean Boyd returned from a three-game suspension just after the hour mark, and he was at the centre of controversy within minutes, with Dalymount incensed that referee Peter McLaughlin missed a potential elbow on Cian Byrne.

Shelbourne failed to create any clear-cut chances throughout the 90, with a cut-in and shot from Hull City loanee Jarvis bouncing straight into the arms of Chorazka.

Liam Burt produced a silky turn on the D, and his deflected strike fell into the path of substitute Boyd, who was bundled to the floor by Cian Byrne, and a penalty was awarded.

Jarvis stepped up and converted with ease into the bottom left corner to send the Mono Stand into raptures.

Shelbourne drove on, and a stylish header from Molloy doubled their advantage and put the game beyond Bohemians.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Cian Byrne, Patrick Kirk, Michael Lilander; James Clarke, Jordan Flores, Adam McDonnell, James McManus (Martin Miller 46); Dylan Connolly, Filip Piszczek (Sten Reinkort 75), Dayle Rooney (Daniel Grant 75).
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Luke Matheson, Aboubacar Keita, Jevon Mills, Oluwaseun Akintunde, Bartłomiej Kukułowicz.
Booked: James McManus (33), Patrick Kirk (41), Martin Miller (60), Dayle Rooney (68).
Sent off: None.

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett (Patrick Barrett 33), Sean Gannon, Gavin Molloy, Tyreke Wilson; Liam Burt (Matthew Smith 84), Mark Coyle, Jonathan Lunney (Jad Hakiki 89), John O'Sullivan (Evan Caffrey 46); William Jarvis (Shane Farrell 84), John Martin (Sean Boyd 63).
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, Dean Williams.
Booked: John O'Sullivan (33), Mark Coyle (57), Sean Boyd (88).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 4,429