Paul Carlyle snatched a dramatic equaliser for Dundalk in injury time of their National League Premier Division game at Oriel Park last night. Dundalk had looked dead and buried when Bohemians went two up at the start of the second half and at that stage it seemed that the Dublin club would go on to win by an even higher score.
The change came with the introduction of veterans Tom McNulty to the Dundalk midfield, midway through the half.
Up to that point Paul Doolin seemed to have complete control in the sector and his forwards were enjoying plenty of possession. With McNulty's introduction however, Dundalk suddenly began to produce some pressure of their own and their reward came when their best player on the night, Noel Melvin, shot home from 10 yards in the 73rd minute.
Bohemians had suffered an earlier setback when Robbie Best was stretchered off after only 15 minutes but in a lacklustre first half the visitors picked up the only score when Peter Hanrahan headed home in the 38th minute from a Donal Broughan cross.
Bohemians were on the crest of a wave two minutes into the second period when Graham Lawlor smashed the ball to the Dundalk net after Steve Williams had dropped a corner kick taken by Tommy Byrne. Williams made amends shortly afterwards, making a double save after a welltaken free by Joe Hanrahan.
A missed chance by Brian Byrne, when he delayed a little too long and allowed James Coll to smother his shot, was a warning sign for Bohemians. Soon afterwards Melvin scored Dundalk's opener after a shot by Raymond Campbell was deflected.
Bohemians were now on the defensive and Coll had to clear a Peter Withnell header off the line but, with time running out, it looked as if Bohemians might just hold on for the draw. Then in the 91st minute a Campbell corner was headed on by Melvin and Carlyle was in the right spot to head home for that dramatic equaliser.
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