NATIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Finn Harps 0 Bohemians 2:BOHEMIANS OVERCAME the elements and Finn Harps to move five points clear at the top of the Eircom League Premier Division last night.
The seeds for victory at Finn Park were sown in the first half with Owen Heary getting the first goal as the Phibsboro outfit notched up their 11th win in 15 league games.
But this latest defeat for Harps - their fourth on the trot in all competitions - leaves them in the relegation zone.
Harps' cause wasn't helped by the absence of influential midfielder Tony Shields and suspended striker Stephen Parkhouse. However, there was better news for the struggling Donegal club as former Derry City favourite Gary Beckett made his debut.
Bohemians went ahead on 23 minutes following a disputed free-kick. Killian Brennan floated the ball into the box and although Glen Crowe's initial effort was blocked, Harps failed to clear and the ball fell for Heary who stabbed the ball home from close range.
Shortly afterwards Neale Fenn slipped a delightful ball through for Killian Brennan as he ventured into the box but Stuart Malcolm did well to intercept.
Fenn then fired just wide on the turn as Bohemians started to knock the ball around in a more confident fashion.
On 32 minutes Bohemians almost got a second. Shaun Williams was dispossessed by John Paul Kelly whose shot was brilliantly saved by an increasingly busy Gavin Cullen. Crowe followed up but could only look on in disbelief as his shot cannoned off the post.
Cullen then denied Kelly again and Mark Rossiter as Bohemians began to capitalise on the growing number of errors by the home side. Crowe missed a couple of further chances after the interval for Bohemians but Harps enjoyed a decent spell around the hour mark.
And Conor Gethins was unlucky not to score from a blistering 30-yard free that flew just over the crossbar.
In an exciting finish substitute Jason McGuinness had an effort cleared off the line on 75 minutes while at the other end Bohemians had to endure some anxious moments as the home side applied some late pressure. However, Jason Byrne sealed the issue with a 91st-minute penalty after Fenn was taken down by Cullen.
FINN HARPS:Cullen, Roddy, Holmes, Boyle, Malcolm, Williams, Funston, McGowan, Beckett, Gethins, Brolly. Subs: Breen for Beckett (55 mins), Ramsey for Funston (75 mins),
BOHEMIANS:Murphy, Heary, Rossiter, O'Donnell, Burns, Oman, Kelly, Cronin, Crowe, Fenn, Brennan. Subs: McGuinness for Burns (43 mins), Hunt for O'Donnell (67 mins), Byrne for Crowe (78 mins).
Referee:R Winter (Dublin).
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