The script appeared written to suit Shamrock Rovers as they ran up a 4-1 lead at half-time in this amazing match.

But Bohemians clearly weren't privy to it and played their dramatic part in turning an incredible match on its head to run out fully deserved winners, scoring five times inside the final half-hour.

Brian Byrne flicked on a Billy Woods corner for Tony Grant to swivel and drill the ball home after just three minutes to let the goal-feast begin.

Defender Dave Hill got Bohemians level when equalising from a Glen Crowe cross on 12 minutes.

But, despite being well in the match territorially, by the interval Bohemians looked down and out as Rovers punished defensive blunders to take a three goal advantage.

As with the first goal, poor defending cost Bohemians again as Rovers restored their lead from a penalty on 26 minutes. Two defenders collided in attempting to clear a Shane Robinson cross; Pat Deans was tripped by Shaun Maher and Sean Francis sent Wayne Russell the wrong way from the spot.

Deans then played Grant in with a sublime ball over the top for his second goal on the half-hour.

Rovers then appeared to seal their win with a fourth goal six minutes before the break.

Once more sloppy defending presented the ball to Byrne from Woods' cross and his shot rose into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Alex Nesovic began Bohemians' revival on 62 minutes when volleying home from Mark Rutherford's knock down.

With Trevor Molloy on as a substitute and caution thrown to the wind with three at the back, Bohemians bombarded the Rovers goal for the remainder of the game.

The influential Dave Morrison got another goal back on 70 minutes before Rovers' heads really dropped as Crowe scored his first goal in 10 weeks to equalise nine minutes later.

Rutherford toe-poked Bohemians in front from Morrison's cross within a further four minutes before Crowe added his second in injury time.

"At half-time, if you'd given me 1,000 to one that we could win this match my tenner would have stayed in my pocket," said Bohemians manager Roddy Collins.

"I said to them at the break, let's just go out and compete and show some character and finish with some pride. I don't know what the turning point was, the goals just kept going in. It was amazing.

"We're very much back in this title race."

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Smith, Palmer, Cronin, Woods; Robinson, Colwell (Kavanagh 84 mins), Deans (Vaudequin 84 mins), Byrne; Francis, Grant.

Bohemians: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Hill, Webb (Molloy 54 mins); Morrison, Hunt, Caffrey, Rutherford; Crowe, Nesovic.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

On day when only three goals were spread across five matches Coleraine maintained their unbeaten record over Irish League Premier Division leaders, Linfield.

They were deprived of a fourth outright win by an equaliser from midfielder, Russell Kelly.

The point kept Coleraine in second place but in an all round as you were situation they remain 16 points adrift.

Glenavon, without their injured leading goal scorer Garry Haylock were held to a Mourneview Park draw by their European rivals, Glentoran.