Bohemians extend run

National League/St Patrick's Athletic- 1 Bohemians - 2: Bohemians closed the gap on second-place Drogheda following this polished display last night at Richmond Park. Since being appointed as player manager last month, Gareth Farrelly has not enjoyed an active role due to a hamstring problem. He watched from the stands as Bohemians set out to maintain a seven-game match unbeaten run which stretches back to June.

But without the suspended Colm Hawkins and injured Tony Grant, Bohemians were stretched against a St Patrick's side that have been boosted by the recent signings of Robbie Doyle and Brendan Markey. Both have had spells with the Dalymount club and in the case of Doyle, there was some unfinished business.

The former Irish under-21 failed to cement a permanent place in the Bohemians side despite scoring eight league goals for them last season.

Bohemians, though missing Glen Crowe and Tony Grant, began the better of the two sides with Stephen Ward forcing an early save from Chris Adamson. But with just Dominic Foley operating as a lone striker chances were few and far between.

The breakthrough came just short of the half hour when Ward supplied the pass for Bobby Ryan to shoot into the bottom corner.

Bohemians hadn't finished, however, with clever footwork from Foley seeing the former Watford striker score inside a congested penalty area.

St Patrick's began to get into the game as Thomas Heary got back to deny Keith Fahey. They were handed a lifeline on 65 minutes when Doyle, after racing clear, rolled the ball beyond Shay Kelly.

St Patrick's came close to an equaliser when Fahey's long-range effort came crashing back off the crossbar.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; S Quigley, Maguire, Foley, Byrne; Quinless (Osam, 62 mins), Fahey, Prenderville, O'Keefe; Doyle, Markey (Dunne 56 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Kelly; Rice, McNally, Heary, Webb; Lynch; Ryan, Hunt, Caffrey, Ward; Foley (Grant, 85 mins).

Referee: H Woriskey (Dublin).