Bohemians v Shelbourne Dalymount Park, 8.05If it seems like only last week that the two remaining contenders for this season's eircom League crown were last doing battle there's a very good reason . . . it is.

In this title race, though, there's nothing unusual in that and as they prepared yesterday for this evening's crunch encounter at Dalymount Park neither Stephen Kenny nor Pat Fenlon was showing any sign of fatigue ahead of this, their sides' fourth encounter of the league campaign.

The results so far have gone decisively Bohemians' way, the current leaders having won two of the games and drawn the third. All have been close and exciting games but even if the fourth follows suit it will be scant consolation to Fenlon or his players if they leave empty-handed. Allowing their neighbours to take 10 points from four games would be a terrible blow to the long-time leaders and leave them four points adrift with just four games to play.

The Shelbourne manager, however, was steadfastly refusing to contemplate defeat yesterday. He preferred to reflect on the positive aspects of his team's efforts in those previous games and point how little they need to improve to turn the tide.

"I think if you look at the game in Tolka there was very little between us but we gave away two goals from corners and one from a throw so I don't think anybody needs to be told that we'll have to defend set pieces a bit better tonight because you just can't do those things and expect to get away with it against a side like Bohemians.

"We'll look forward to the game, though, because it'll be a big crowd and a big occasion. You don't ever mind playing Bohs because you know they're going to have a go at you and you're going to be able to have a go at them. They're usually good, open games and the only thing that we'll be hoping changes this time is the result."

Kenny is equally positive: "Shelbourne will come and really attack us, which makes for a good game. We were a bit better than them last time but tomorrow's a different night and we're certainly not claiming to be supremely confident all of a sudden just because we're a point ahead of them in the table. We've seen how easily that can change a few times over the past couple of weeks."

While Fenlon will be without the suspended Richie Baker and will have to decide whether to start Kevin Doherty and return Jamie Harris to the attack, where he has worked well with Jason Byrne, Kenny has close to a full squad. Jason McGuinness is serving a ban but wouldn't have played and so the only real concern is Thomas Heary, who missed the trip to Derry this week after picking up a knock last time out against Shelbourne and then aggravating it against Waterford last weekend.

"I'd love to be involved," says the player, who faces a late test on the groin strain this evening, "but I know myself that even if I am fit it will be difficult to get back in after the way the lads did up at the Brandywell."

Heary's recent form, however, suggests Kenny might just have to make space for him, probably at the expense of Stephen Caffrey in central midfield again, where the former Huddersfield player has looked very much at home alongside Kevin Hunt.

Whoever plays in midfield, the form of the league's two leading strikers is bound to be a major influence on the outcome while Steve Williams will have to play much better than he did at Tolka Park last week if the Bohemians attack is to be contained this time. Lesser sides might be tempted to settle for a draw but both of these seem set to attempt a knockout punch in a contest that still shows every sign of going the distance.