After a run of games with a 3-5-2 formation, Bohs switched to an orthodox 4-4-2 with Dave Scully returning to partner Chris Lyons up front. Derek Pender looked much more comfortable at right back rather than right wing back, and his pinpoint cross set up the first chance of the game. Unfortunately for Bohs, Ryan McEvoy just couldn’t quite get enough on his header.

A first half of few chances exploded into life with 9 minutes to go. Good work from Andy Mulligan down the left forced a Bohs corner, which was whipped in by Stephen Traynor. With the ball about to reach Owen Heary at the back post, Colin Healy stretched out a leg but only managed to divert the ball into his own net.

Aaron Callaghan will be extremely frustrated not to hang onto the lead at least until half time. Denis Behan and Gearoid Morrissey played a simple one-two on the edge of the Bohs box before Morrissey skipped past Heary. The Bohs captain’s outstretched leg clearly caught the Cork forward, and referee Paul Tuite had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Denis Behan sent Dean Delany the wrong way in front of the disappointingly small away contingent in the Des Kelly Stand.

Bohs clearly stepped up their game in the second half, and should really have taken the lead on more than one occasion. Dave Scully had three chances in close succession. The first saw him caught for pace by Kalen Spillane when pretty much through on goal. His second chance came when his header was tipped around the post by Mark McNulty, while his third chance was a header that was wonderfully blocked by John Dunleavy.

A large contingent of the Bohs fans have been calling for Greg Murray to be given his chance in goal, and the Palmerstown man did make his season debut when Delany was forced off with what looked like a muscle strain on the hour mark. The sub keeper could do nothing as Cork got their winner totally against the run of play. Karl Moore, who had a wretched evening, was caught in possession down the Bohs right. Gearoid Morrissey raced away down the left and pulled it back for his namesake Danny, who blasted it in from six yards.

Bohs huffed and puffed for the final 10 minutes, and could have snatched an equaliser when Cork keeper McNulty miscontrolled and allowed Mulligan to square it. Kalen Spillane just got there ahead of the sluggish Chris Lyons and Bohs hopes of a point were snuffed out. With two difficult games against Shamrock Rovers and St Pats to come, things could get squeaky for Bohs before the mid-season break in June.

Bohemians: Dean Delany (Greg Murray, 59), Owen Heary, Derek Pender, Luke Byrne, Dave Mulcahy, Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor (Michael Barker, 81), Andy Mulligan, Karl Moore (Kevin Devaney, 81), Dave Scully, Chris Lyons. Subs not used: Roberto Lopes, Darragh Reynor, Dwayne Wilson, Kevin O’Leary.

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Danny Murphy, Kalen Spillane, Neal Horgan, John Dunleavy (Gary Buckley, 87), Colin Healy, Shane Duggan, Gearóid Morrissey, Daryl Horgan (Ian Turner, 65), Danny Morrissey, Denis Behan (Daryl Kavanagh, 74). Subs not used: Kevin Burns, Ian Turner, Daryl Kavanagh, Adam Rundle, Danny Furlong, Stephen Kenny, Garry Buckley.