Incredibly Bohs doubled their lead just eight minutes later through an excellent counter attack.The in-form Stephen McGuiness, who had kept 4 clean sheets in his previous five outings, launched a long ball over to the left wing in the direction of Kris Twardek who did brilliantly to collect on the run. The pace Canadian then proceeded to turn Sean Gannon

inside out before a deep cross to the back post to found Keith Ward. The playmaker cleverly cushioned the ball first time to skipper Keith Buckley, who smashed home via a deflection.

It was just wave after wave of pace and power as Bohs continued to cut through the Dundalk rearguard. JJ Lunney had a great chance to get his name on the scoresheet just after the half hour mark, when slipped through by Kris Twardek cleverly on the edge of the box

The momentum of the game started to swing back in the visitors favour with the introduction of John Mountney for ex-Bohs man, Daniel Kelly after just 34 minutes, who understandably didn’t look best pleased. The bout of pressure that told afterwards, as Stefan Colovic whipped in a dangerous left footed cross to the back post, and Michael Duffy nodded home.

The action packed first half wasn’t done there! Right on the half time whistle, Gary Rogers pulled off a wonderful acrobatic save to tip over Andre Wrights looping header, when it looked like it was sailing in.

As expected, with the boost of the goal just before half time, the reigning Champions came out all guns blazing. Almost immediately from the kick off should have equalised through talisman Pat Hoban. Goalscorer, Duffy, did well to fashion a yard of space on the left, before clipping a ball to the back post. Hoban managed to direct his header onto the cross bar, but the rebound fell invitingly to Mountney who elected to

dive and head the ball when a volley might have been a better option. Regardless, McGuiness reacted sharply at point blank range to parry way the rebound.

The hosts responded well and really should have extended their lead as they created some glorious chances on the break. Both wingers, Grant and Twardek, were guilty of missing great chances having been put clear through on goal. Substitute, Dawson Devoy, also went close but his curling effort narrowly missed the top corner.

As we entered the tense final stages, and with their grip on the title slowly slipping away, the Lilywhites began to throw everything they had at the resolute Bohs backline. Daniel Cleary went close after a scramble in the area, but scooped the ball just wide of the post. Shortly after, Mountney raced trough on goal from a sloppy lay off but smashed his left footed effort high and wide, as the Gypsies held on.

To their credit, Keith Longs troops battled bravely to see out the remaining minutes and ensure all three points for a deserved victory and now sit in second place, leading the chasing pack behind the old enemy as they look to make a title race of it.

Bohemian FC: 25. Stephen McGuiness, 2. Andy Lyons, 5. Rob Cornwall, 4. Dan Casey, 3. Anto Breslin, 16. Keith

Buckley, 8. JJ Lunney, 10. Keith Ward (28. Dawson Devoy, 70’), 11. Kris Twardek, 12. Danny Grant, 15. Andre Wright

Subs: 1. James Talbot, 18. James Finnerty, 6. Ciaran Kelly, 14. Conor Levingston, 28. Dawson Devoy, 30. Promise Omochere, 9. Dinny Corcoran

Dundalk FC: 1. Gary Rogers, 2. Sean Gannon, 21. Daniel Cleary, 44. Andy Boyle, 14. Dane Massey (17 Nathan Oduwa, 86’), 5. Chris Shields, 6. Jordan Flores (18. Will Patching, 65’), 27. Dan Kelly (8. John Mountney, 34’), 22. Stefan Colovic, 7. Michael Duffy, 9. Pat Hoban

Subs: 20. Aaron Mccarey, 3. Brian Gartland, 8. John Mountney, 10. Greg Sloggett, 17 Nathan Oduwa, 18. Will Patching, 23. Cameron Dummigan