League of Ireland Premier Division/Bohemians 2 St Patricks Athletic 0:It is, of course, far too early to talk of 'must win' games but Sean Connor had stressed the importance of a win here if his Bohemians side was to stay in contention.
In securing full points, they not only maintained an unbeaten home run but moved second and within six of their opponents' lead.
With the league's most prolific attack matched against the least porous defence an intriguing contest lay in store and supporters were not short-changed.
Kevin Hunt and Thomas Heary set the tone for Bohemians, breaking up play in the centre and supplying those ahead of them with intelligent ball. Winger John Paul Kelly - until being stretchered off late on - was often a target and together with Glen Crowe he caused St Patrick's great unease.
In fact, the duo combined just minutes in but goalkeeper Barry Ryan made a vital interception when fumbling Crowe's goalbound header to safety.
St Patrick's, though, were a formidable force once in stride and, before long, both sides were contributing to a tremendous contest.
By forcing their opponents deep, the visitors were afforded the space to tease and tantalise. Strikers Gary O'Neill and Mark Quigley were superbly in tune but, crucially, neither could finish Anto Murphy crosses, when a touch close home would have gone rewarded.
'Sitting back' are words clearly not bandied about the St Patrick's dressingroom this season but as eye-catching as their application was they suffered a setback midway through the half.
Bohemians, their surges now restricted and content to counter, struck first. Kelly's delightful cross-field ball was controlled first time by Crowe who instantly supplied the onrushing Stephen Rice to tuck home unmarked.
The hosts, under Connor, have become masters of locking out games and wrestling a 1-0 lead away from them was never going to be straightforward. Despite scheming away, St Patrick's struggled to breach that mean defence although Quigley did see a shot parried by Ryan. But Bohemians had worn down their opponents to the point of frustration and when Dave Mulchay felled Darren Mansaram a minute from time Mark Rossiter was cool from the spot.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Heary, McGuinness, Burns, Byrne; Rice, Hunt, Heary, Kelly; Fenn, Crowe. Subs: Powell for Byrne (47 mins), Rossiter for Hunt (68 mins), Mansaram for Fenn (74 mins). Booked: Fenn (16 mins), Kelly (45 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; C Foley, Brennan, Maguire; Murphy, Fahey, Mulcahy, Kirby, O'Connor; Quigley, O'Neill. Subs: M Foley for O'Connor (67 mins), Rooney for Brennan (84 mins), Lynch for O'Neill (90 mins). Booked: Brennan (80 mins).
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
