Bohemians battle to secure the points

Dublin City - 1 Bohemians - 2: Certainly not the prettiest game played this season but nonetheless a positive outcome for the "away" team. Moreover, the willingness to scrap hard for every breaking ball will have pleased the Bohemians supporters who until last night were desperately disillusioned with their team's sluggish start to the season.

Indeed, having scored in just one league game before this, Bohemians were much improved in the final third, winning four corners inside the first six minutes, then scoring twice and hitting the post on no less than three occasions in a productive first half for Gareth Farrelly's side.

Winger Fergal Harkin and strikers Tony Grant and Stephen Ward typified that battling spirit and it was no surprise when the latter pair combined to put Bohemians in front after eight minutes.

Grant forced goalkeeper Gary Rogers to save with his feet but rather than follow up the loose ball, he squared to Ward whose shot from the edge of the area crossed the line despite Stuart Malcolm's attempted block.

City, although enthusiastic in possession, were, more often than not, left frustrated by their finishing. That said, David Freeman did hit the post from close range following Damien Brennan's clever pass but the Bohemians defence, for the most part, soaked up what came their way thereafter. And to compound City's frustration, Bohemians doubled their advantage when Barry Ferguson headed home Dessie Byrne's free after 33 minutes.

Dublin City pulled one back 15 minutes after the restart. Brennan teased in a cross which Freeman stooped for to beat Stephen O'Brien.

However, despite closing the gap, Dermot Keely's side suffered a killer blow when Paul Crowley, already on a yellow, was dismissed for a crunching tackle on Farrelly.

Subsequently, the numerical advantage allowed Bohemians generate another head of steam and, despite the occasional nervy moment at the back, they comfortably closed out the game.

DUBLIN CITY: Rogers; Brennan, Keely, Malcolm, Doyle; Pender (Shiels, half time), Crowley, McDonnell, O'Donnell (McGill, half time); Collins, Freeman. Booked: Crowley (32), Shiels (51), Malcolm (57) Brennan (83). Sent off: Crowley (68), McDonnell (90).

BOHEMIANS: O'Brien; Rice, Ferguson, Heary, Byrne (Powell, 63 mins); Kelly (O'Keeffe, 89, mins), Hunt, Farrelly, Harkin; Grant, Ward. Booked: Byrne (63).

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).