Shelbourne 1 - 2 Bohemians

Bohemians came from behind to see off Dublin rivals Shelbourne on Monday night and secure only their fourth win of the season. Second half goals from Peter McMahon and an injury time winner from Ryan McEvoy proved too much for the hosts who had John Sullivan sent off after Glenn Cronin had scored from the spot.

The hosts will feel aggrieved to have come away with nothing because despite their numerical disadvantage, they bossed the game for periods in terms of possession and the creation of chances. That was the case up until John Sullivan’s dismissal on 33 minutes when the defender-cum-midfielder chopped down Ryan McEvoy off the ball but right in front of referee Dave McKeon. He produced red instantly.

By this stage Philip Gorman had already beaten Craig Sexton in the Bohemians’ goal but his headed effort was ruled offside.

Before this Peter McMahon had the first of Bohs’ two genuine chances in the first half when he cut in from the left wing but could only blaze over from the edge of the box. Arguably Dave Mulcahy's chance was more guilt-edged when headed just over after half an hour. Outside of these, the Phibsborough club offered little in the way of goal scoring chances.

The hosts, on the other hand passed the ball more confidently and even after the sending off looked the calmer and collected of the two sides.

Having had a lucky escape with Gorman’s offside header, there was no saviour for Aaron Callaghan’s men a minute before the interval when McKeon pointed straight to the penalty spot. Bohs’ central defender Evan McMillan was deemed to have fouled in a crowded penalty area as Anto Murphy swung in a corner. Midfielder and ex-Gypsy Glenn Cronin made no mistake rifling home from 12 yards.

Unsurprisingly Bohemians dominated for much of the second half with their numerical advantage and drew level on eleven minutes after the restart. Full-back Derek Pender played the ball into the box where Peter McMahon controlled impressively before lifting the ball over both his head and Dean Delany in the Shels’ goal to level affairs.

Now the impetus was with the visitors. Boss Aaron Callaghan went for an all-out attack when injured defender Roberto Lopez was replaced by forward Andy Mulligan while goal scorer McMahon made way for Karl Moore. The latter looked very lively when sprung from the bench and it was a sign of things to come on 70 minutes when McEvoy fired an effort at goal.

Paddy Kavanagh was a menace all night for Shels and threatened to the death but tired legs would ultimately cost the Tolka Park outfit. Eventually Bohs’ adventure and endeavour was awarded as Ryan McEvoy popped up in the Shelbourne box to volley home and hand the visitors all three points to keep them hovering above the drop zone.

Drogheda and Cork’s draw means Alan Mathews’ Shelbourne side remain in sixth position.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; John Sullivan, Gareth Matthews, Brian Shortall (Ian Ryan, 49), Andy Boyle; Paddy Kavanagh, Glenn Cronin, Barry Clancy, Anto Murphy; Philip Hughes (Kevin Dawson, 37) Philip Gorman (Paul Byrne, 76).

Subs Not Used: Paul Skinner, Stephen Paisley, Conan Byrne, Brendan McGill.

Bookings: Gorman (8), Cronin (59), Clancy (88).

Bohemians: Craig Sexton; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopez (Andy Mulligan, 74), Evan McMillan, Kevin Feely; Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Keith Ward, Dave Mulcahy, Peter McMahon (Karl Moore, 64); John O’Connor (Dave Scully, 56).

Subs Not Used: Greg Murray, Adam Martin, Stephen Traynor, Dan Mahon. 

Bookings: E McMillan (42), Mulcahy (64), Mulligan (85).

Referee: Dave McKeon.

Attendance: 1,489

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paddy Kavanagh (Shelbourne).