Dundalk given the cold shoulder

BOHEMIANS' championship challenge got back on course at a chilly Oriel Park last night. Their performance, however, was far from convincing against a Dundalk side that was very disorganised at the back and seldom looked like creating a goal scoring chance.

In a scoreless first half, Derek Swan went close with a good effort after to minutes, before Donal Broughan had to replace the injured Brian Mooney on 20 minutes.

The game became very defensive after this and although Peter Withnell forced a good save from Dave Henderson in the 21st minute, there was little else to cheer about.

Dundalk were reduced to playing winger, Brian Byrne, in the left back position after half time and their already confused defence looked even more fragile as a consequence.

Bohemians should have been in front in the very first minute of the period when they were awarded a penalty after Peter Hanrahan was taken down by Fintan McConville in the area. However, Dundalk keeper Les Fridge made a good save from Tommy Byrne's spot kick.

Bohemians continued to create the better scoring chances and their lead goal finally came in the 64th minute when, after a well taken free by Byrne, Eoin Mullen headed back across the goal and James Coll was in the right position to deflect it into the net.

Shortly afterwards Bohemians should have been two up but John Ryan was a little slow to react when clean through and Fridge was able to smother his shot.

Bohemians' second goal came in the 79th minute when Derek Swan turned the Dundalk defence inside out and set up Derek McGrath for an easy score.

The nearest Dundalk came to scoring was a long shot by Brian Byrne which Henderson failed to hold, but unfortunately for the home side, nobody was following up to push the loose ball to the net.

The second half was played in a flurry of light snowfall and the fact [that the game went on at all, was a credit to Dundalk's groundsman, Mickey Fox.