Another win for Bohemians and another three points put safely between them and the dreaded trap door. But such is the growing confidence around Dalymount Park these days that this well-deserved victory will be looked upon as a sample of what Shelbourne can expect when they return in a couple of weeks for their FAI Cup second round tie.

Goals from Tony O'Connor and Derek Swan decided this encounter but there was little question who was the better side.

In a game that defied the legend that derby clashes have to be tight, aggressive and disjointed, Bohemians employed cool heads and neat passes and never looked like a side that could have even contemplated life in the First Division.

O'Connor's goal, a fine low drive that followed a quick Derek Swan free and a wonderful touch on by Paul Byrne was the pick of the home side's pair but Swan's goal, his fifth in as many games, killed off Shelbourne who were by then playing with four up front in the hope of salvaging something.

For much of the game the two teams produced decent open football but lacked ideas around the box that were needed to unlock the defences.

Whenever half chances did come along the finishing was either poor or the defending solid and for most of the second half a scoreless draw looked like a good bet.

On the run of play that would have disappointed Bohemians more than their visitors but both had ample cause to look for more out of the game.

Bohemians initial nightmare flirtation with life in the relegation zone may now be behind them but the trauma it induced at the club will hardly have been forgotten in the dressing room.

This result, on the other hand, actually tags Roddy Collins's side onto the tails of the midtable teams and now, like his opposite number in the Shelbourne dug out, the recently installed boss at Dalymount Park may still reckon that a place for his side amongst the best of the rest at the end of the campaign is now a realistic enough ambition.

Shelbourne, with far stronger hopes of a top four finish, had actually made the brighter start and the visitors had almost opened the scoring in the first minute with confusion reigning in the Bohemians defence after the ball had been chipped through for Stephen Geoghegan.

Momentarily he looked certain to score but after eyeing up the scene he let loose with what turned out to be a disappointing effort.

Not his only one either, for a third of the way through the half Dessie Baker and Tony Sheridan were both involved in a build-up for Dermot Keely's side that the Geoghegan of last season would surely have slotted away.

This time, with only Dempsey to beat again he scooped the shot wide and the home side were let off the hook when they should have been punished.

As they were soon to find, though, the locals were hardly feeling too ruthless themselves. Bohemians had the better part of the possession in the half.

And in Ray Kelly and Peter Hanrahan had the game's most lively looking forwards but Alan Gough wasn't troubled at all.

Gough, in fact, went close to gifting the two strikers an opening goal early on.

Kelly blocked down his attempted clearance and then stepped aside graciously to allow Hanrahan a clumsily overhit attempt on goal.

Still, it was Bohemians who looked the busier side and despite Paul Doolin's tireless work in the centre it was Graham O'Hanlon and Kevin Hunt who were making the better job of pushing the ball around more fluidly.

Out wide Paul Byrne's class was having an impact too although it would be well into the second period before we saw him find precisely the touch that would unlock what has been an increasingly resilient Shelbourne back four.

Bohemians: Dempsey; O'Connor, Doyle, Mullen, Brunton; P Byrne, Hunt, O'Hanlon, T Byrne; Kelly, Hanrahan. Subs: Maher for Doyle (half-time), Swan for Hanrahan (63 mins), Lawlor for Kelly (82 mins).

Shelbourne: Gough; Heery, Scully, McCarthy, D Geoghegan; D Baker, Doolin, Fenlon, R Baker; Sheridan, S Geoghegan. Subs: Kelly for R Baker (78 mins).

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Rangers eased their wage bill yesterday by loaning out-of-favour Italian striker Marco Negri to struggling Italian side Vicenza until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old, who joined Rangers from Perugia two years ago, has wanted to leave since he sustained an eye injury apparently, so club sources said, during a squash match last season.

Negri, who up to that point had scored 36 goals including 32 in 29 league matches, had a try-out with West Ham earlier this week but failed to impress.

Now Negri links up with the 1997 Italian Cup winners, who have scored just 10 goals in 17 Serie A matches.