Bohemians face test of nerve

The nightmare continues for Bohemians and their supporters this evening when the team travels to St Colman's Park for the first leg of this season's promotion/relegation play-off (7.0).

After a pre-season that went remarkably well, Bohemians have been dogged by problems since. Losing to Cobh Ramblers over this two-legged tie (the return match is in Dalymount on Saturday evening) would be a severe blow at a time when the club's ground is finally to be redeveloped.

While still adamant that his team will survive, manager Roddy Collins has a couple of difficulties ahead of the game. Maurice O'Driscoll is out of both games after picking up an injury in the Derry match while Derek Swan has an ankle problem that may prevent him from starting.

Cobh manager John O'Rourke will be without goalkeeper Alan O'Shea and Tommy Butler, who have both returned to duty with their army units in the Lebanon. Anthony Kenneally is expected to recover sufficiently from a groin strain to play.

Cobh won the first battle between the two clubs when they succeeded in having both games played this week. Bohemians were looking for a more relaxed schedule after playing three games last week, but Ramblers, who would have been missing Pat Maher due to suspension had the games stretched into next week, were anxious to get both legs played as soon as possible.

Tonight's hosts will be hoping that their recent form - just one loss in their last nine compared to Bohemians' three defeats - can give them the momentum this evening that will to carry them into the Premier Division.

"We wanted to play the first game up there," admits O'Rourke, "but if we go up there with a lead of a couple of goals, it might end up working out well."