LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION Cork City 0 Bohemians 1:A LATE GOAL from Glen Crowe gave Bohemians a crucial victory over Cork City at Turner's Cross last night, cementing their place at the summit of the eircom Premier Division table.
In front of an impressive crowd of 4,293, Pat Fenlon's side weathered a first-half storm to hold on for a win that stretches their lead over St Patrick's Athletic to seven points.
Backed by a vociferous home crowd, the Leesiders made a blistering start and had two good chances to open the scoring.
They signalled their intentions after only 12 seconds when Dave Mooney's half-volley from wide on the right forced a wonderful save from Brian Murphy.
Cork had another opportunity two minutes later, and the lively Mooney was involved again.
The former Longford striker charged down Murphy's attempted clearance and the ball fell to Denis Behan, but his left-footed strike was pushed away by the Bohemians goalkeeper.
The visitors seemed to be feeling the effects of Tuesday night's win over Shamrock Rovers as they struggled to cope with Cork's relentless pressure.
Alan Mathews's side appeared to have made the elusive breakthrough in the 35th minute when Liam Kearney's pass set Mooney through on goal. The league's leading goalscorer placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Murphy, but his namesake Anto cleared the ball off the line.
The home side continued to dominate, so the half-time whistle, when it eventually arrived, was sweet music to the ears of Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon.
Six minutes into the second half, however, Cork winger Liam Kearney breathed a sigh of relief when his defensive header from a Mark Rossiter cross sailed narrowly wide.
Neale Fenn was denied by Michael Devine shortly afterwards when he latched on to Jason Byrne's ball over the top, the veteran goalkeeper getting down low to his right to save the former Cork striker's effort.
Bohemians had gained the upper hand by now and should have been ahead in the 57th minute. Fenn's cross from the left found Killian Brennan unmarked at the back post, but he somehow headed over the crossbar.
But the winning goal finally arrived in the 77th minute and it went the way of the league leaders.
Anto Murphy's free-kick into the Cork box was flicked on by Brennan, and Glen Crowe reacted quickest to flick the ball beyond Devine and into the net.
While Crowe's strike may prove to be decisive in Bohemians' quest for the title, it surely put an end to Cork's already slim aspirations.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Sullivan, Murray, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy (O'Flynn, 67), Gamble, Healy, Kearney (Dudfield, 83); Mooney, Behan.
BOHEMIANS: B Murphy; A Murphy, O Heary, T Heary, Rossiter; Byrne (Kalonas, 85), O'Donnell, Deegan, Brennan; Fenn (Kelly, 70), Crowe.
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).
