City finally come to terms with top-level opposition

National League: Dublin City finally got the measure of another Premier Division outfit to give manager John Gill and his players a huge morale boost and, in their current form, pose serious questions of Bohemians' championship aspirations.

"We're not a million miles away from putting something together," said Gill in his programme notes, his team beginning the night six points adrift at the foot of the table. "If we were getting turned over week after week, I'd be concerned."

A Trojan workrate and the pace and trickery of Gary O'Neill won this game.

Gill had made three changes to his starting team, with Derek Griffin, Keith Foy and Terry Gleeson, none of whom had started a game this season, coming into the side. Again, a five-man blanket across midfield was employed with O'Neill alone up front.

As they've done so admirably all season, Dublin City passed the ball with purpose, carving out the first chance of the night on eight minutes.

Foy worked a short corner with O'Neill with the cross asking questions of the Bohemians defence who failed to clear properly. Jason Colwell put Cathal O'Connor through the inside left channel and his drilled shot was not far wide of the back post.

Bohemians' sluggish start wouldn't have deserved the lead they ought to have got minutes later, but captain Kevin Hunt volleyed over the top when well positioned.

A lack of sustained concentration at the back has been Dublin City's downfall so far, however, and it reared its head again a number of times throughout the half. The fact Bohemians failed to capitalise perhaps sums up their dormant start to the season.

Having survived, Dublin made Bohemians pay for their wastefulness by taking a 23rd minute lead. Foy's lofted free-kick was met by O'Neill whose header looped over Matt Gregg for a goal against his former club.

A soft goal had Bohemians immediately back into the game. Robbie Horgan, stranded on the edge of the area, was lobbed by a perceptive Glen Crowe who latched onto Gregg's punt forward.

Fittingly O'Neill was to play the lead role in the winning goal on 69 minutes. Racing away from Damien Lynch onto O'Connor ball, O'Neill turned back across the defender who pulled him down inside the area.

Foy, with Gill having turned his back unable to look, sent Gregg the wrong way from the penalty. On the evidence of this, the only direction now for Dublin City up.