Much like the league opener on Friday, it was a cagey affair early on. Bohemians midfielder Conor O’Brien missed a one-on-one with UCD goalkeeper Mark McGinley,  while Stephen Paisley had a header cleared off the line from another former Gypsy, Gary Burke.

But nine minutes before half-time, the Students drew first blood. The ball ricocheted around the box before Corcoran had the easiest of chances to put the ball past Greg Murray.

The home side responded well though and won a penalty just before the break. A clumsy challenge from Hugh Douglas sent Derek Pender tumbling and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot just before the break. Shane Murray stepped up but McGinley saved the former Sheffield United youngster’s spot-kick and subsequent follow-up.

Aaron Callaghan’s side seemed to have taken the manager’s words on board at the start of the second period and built up a head of steam. But all that momentum was lost as the Students doubled their advantage through Corcoran’s penalty after Roberto Lopes was adjudged to have fouled his former team-mate.

It looked all over but second after the kick-off,  fans’ favourite Scully pulled a goal back for his side and it was game on again.

Lyons and Moore were sprung from the bench as Bohs looked to gather momentum again  - and both of them proved to be inspired changes.

But time looked to be running out for Bohs until Lyons was fouled on the edge of the area in the last minute. Moore stepped up and curled his stunning free-kick into the top corner at the Tramway End.

On a freezing night in Phibsborough, 30 minutes of extra-time and possible penalties beckoned.

Paisley came close yet again at the start of extra-time when his header smashed off the crossbar. And Derek Pender came close too before the deciding moment came.

Referee Derek Tomney pointed to the spot for the third time in the evening as McGinley fouled Paisley.

This time Lyons stepped up, but once again McGinley was equal to the effort. Unlike Murray’s earlier effort, however, Lyons was able to bundle in the rebound to net his second goal against his former club in three days.

UCD pressed for an equaliser but this young Bohs showed great courage and stamina to hold on for victory and get revenge for an extra-time defeat against the same opposition in the Leinster Senior Cup last month.

Next up for the Gypsies is a trip to Turner’s Cross on Friday, before Shamrock Rovers come to Dalymount on Bank Holiday Monday (March 18th, KO2pm).

Bohemians: Greg Murray; Michael Barker, Roberto Lopes, Stephen Paisley, Ciaran Nangle; Dwayne Wilson (Karl Moore 63), Shane Murray, Derek Pender, Conor O’Brien (Chris Lyons 63), Andy Mulligan (Darragh Hanaphy 80); David Scully. Subs not used: Dean Delany, Darragh Reynor, Luke Byrne, Santiago Miguel Falbo

UCD: Mark McGinley; Gareth Matthews, Hugh Douglas, Tomas Boyle (Colm Crowe 106), Mark Langtry; Dean Clarke (Craig Walsh 56), James Kavanagh, Robbie Benson, Samir Belhout (Sean Coyne 78), Gary Burke; Dinny Corcoran. Subs not used: Ger Barron, David McMillan, Tyrone McNelis, Cillian Morrison.

(Picture by A. Baldiemann shows l-r Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Darragh Hanaphy, Dave Scully and Shane Murray saluting Karl Moore’s (No 10) late leveller.) View more match pics on our Facebook page!