Bohemians' hopes of Premier Division title glory suffered a major setback when an opportunist 72nd minute goal by veteran striker John Caulfield gave understrength Cork City an unexpected triumph at Dalymount Park yesterday.

Even though they still have one match in hand, Bohemians boss Roddy Collins admitted his side have little chance of catching leaders Shelbourne, with an eight-point gap still separating the teams.

"This is one of my worst moments in football. It's a strange game but we can forget about the league title now", said Collins.

"Our hopes of success for the season must rest on winning the FAI Cup or finishing runners-up in the league. We had so much possession but failed to use it." This was Cork City's first win in six visits to Dublin this season and all the more remarkable as caretaker boss Liam Murphy was forced to field a young experimental side.

Suspensions had robbed him of the services of Pat Morley, Mark Herrick and Greg O'Halloran. Injuries also ruled out regular first team players Declan Daly, John Cotter, Colm O'Brien and Stephen Napier.

"This was my third match in charge and I was very pleased with the way my players fought for each other. There's very little difference between any of the teams in the Premier Division," said Murphy.

Despite their early dominance, Bohemians failed to translate that superiority into goals with Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine able to deal capably with an Alex Nesovic header and then a well taken volley from Simon Webb. Shaun Maher, returning to the side after a two-match absence because of a viral complaint, had a header just over the bar.

The Cork defence, Alan Carey, Derek Coughlan, Damien O'Rourke and Neal Horgan, was in outstanding form as they showed great composure in blocking all paths to the visitors goal.

Bohemians should really have taken the lead on 58 minutes when Webb and Nesovic combined cleverly to set up a chance for Glen Crowe but his effort from 16 yards was excellently saved by Devine as he flung himself to his right.

But Cork were at last beginning to create the openings on the counter-attack, especially when a frustrated home side opted to use just three men in defence as they attempted to clinch that elusive opener. Striker James Mulligan had a shot blocked by goalkeeper Wayne Russell after Ollie Cahill had carved open the home defence on 67 minutes.

Then Anthony Buckley's effort on the rebound was blocked by Stephen Caffrey before Mulligan again fired in a shot deflected for a corner by Webb.

The dramatic breakthrough came five minutes later when the hard-working Noel Hartigan sent in a low cross from the right which was swept home by the 36-yearold Caulfield at the far post.

Hartigan was then just inches off target with a well directed header after another accurate cross from Cahill.

But Cork did have a let-off late on when Coughlan appeared to handle the ball after he was beaten in a race for possession by Crowe but Athlone referee John Stacey decided to allow play to continue.

Bohemians maintained the pressure for an equaliser right up to the final whistle. However that never looked likely with Devine dealing comfortably with a longrange shot by Paul Byrne.

BOHEMIANS: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Caffrey, Webb; Molloy, Byrne, Hunt, Rutherford; Nesovic, Crowe.

CORK CITY: Devine; Carey, Coughlan, O'Rourke, Horgan; Caulfield, Flanagan, Buckley, Cahill; Mulligan, Hartigan. Subs: Freyne for Hartigan (83 mins), Tynan for Caulfield (87 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).