Bohemians snag hard-earned point to slow Derry’s advance at the top

Will Patching’s seventh goal of the season wasn’t enough for Derry City as they were held by the Bohemians at Brandywell.

The midfielder’s goal put Derry City back on par after Promise Omochere’s early goal but there was to be no late drama this time around.

A promising start by Bohs was rewarded with the opening goal after 15 minutes. Brandon Kavanagh failed to control the ball on the edge of Bohs area and Liam Burt led the visitors away with a lightning fast counter-attack, carrying the ball a good 60 yards before sliding into Omochere, who flicked the ball past Brian Maher and into the Ball conveyed net.

City equalized after 35 minutes, albeit not without controversy.

Patrick McEleney exchanged passes with Kavanagh and broke into the box before being bundled to the ground by Conor Levingston.

To the disbelief of the Bohs players, referee Adriano Reale pointed to the penalty spot and Patching kept his nerve to send James Talbot the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season.

Derry came off the blocks quickly in the second half and McEleney had Talbot crawl back with a bold effort from 40 yards that just crossed the bar.

Talbot was then just a spectator when Patching’s free-kick from 25 yards hit him with all ends, but luckily for Bohemians the ball missed the post by inches.

Bohs had an incredible chance to regain the lead in the 78th minute. Substitute Tyreke Wilson sent a cross straight to Omochere’s head but he headed in at Maher from close range, much to the disbelief of his manager Keith Long.

DERRY CITY – Maher, Toal, McJannet (Thomson 80′), S McEleney, Boyce, Dummigan, P McEleney, Patching, Kavanagh (McLaughlin 87′), Smith (Akintunde 64′), McGonigle.

BOHEMIAN – Talbot, Doherty, Kelly, Packham (Murphy 64′), Wilson, Burt (Twardek 74′), Coote (Finnerty 91′), Devoy, Levingston, Junior, Omochere.

REF – Adriano Reale.