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

Meanwhile, Ian Morris’ Reds – just four games away from securing a return to the top flight – made 5 changes to the side who suffered a surpising 1-0 defeat away at Cobh Ramblers last weekend and grew into the game as the half wore on. Jaze Kabia looked a threat on the break with his pace, while Conan Byrne put in a dangerous free kick that Derek Prendergast was inches away from getting a toe on.

The best chance of the game came just after the re-start, when Darragh Leahy picked out front man Andre Wright, who was unlucky to see his powerful header come off the outside of the post.

Dayle Rooney and Danny Mandroiu exchanged strikes as the game began to come to life. The visitors missed a guilt edged chance just before the hour mark and really should have taken the lead. Jaze Kabia won the ball back briliantly in the Bohs box, before teeing up Conan Byrne who somehow missed from 10 yards out.

That was Byrne’s last action of the night, who was then replaced by Ciran Kilduff who made an instant impact putting his side ahead. Shane Farrell showed great pace on the break before slipping in his front man. Kilduff seemed to take an eternity before striking home with his left.

Bohs finally exploded into life and missed chance after chance to equalise, none better than Wade-Slater who was put clean through on goal following a neat passing move on the edge of the area. But the wideman could only shoot tamely at the onrushing Delaney.

Bohs, chasing the equaliser, were caught on the break as Kilduff had the freedom of the half to play in Shane Farrell to smash home to the far post. Incredibly, Jaze Kabia was shown a second yellow for time wasting getting back into his own half.

Just as it looked beyond The Gypsies, Keith Buckley smashed home from the edge of the area and with two minutes remaining of normal time, up stepped Danny Mandroiu who hammered a deflected effort past the helpless Delaney.

And the tie wasn’t done just yet, there was still time for Mandroiu to show his class. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area and striking a sweet effort into the top corner to win it as the home fans erupted.

A breathtaking end to an epitome of a game of two halves.

Bohemian FC: James Talbot, Darragh Leahy, Aaron Barry, Danny Mandroiu, Danny Grant (Ross Tierney 85’ ), Conor Levingston (Keith Ward 65’ ), Andre Wright, Keith Buckley, James Finnerty, Andy Lyons, Luke Wade-Slater

Subs: Michael Kelly, Scott Allardice, Robbie McCourt, Keith Ward, Ryan Graydon, Michael Barker, Ross Tierney

Shelbourne FC: Dean Delaney, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Oscar Brennan, Conan Byrne (Ciaran Kilduff 61’ ), Daniel McKenna, Shane Farrell, Dayle Rooney (Darragh Noone 79’ ), Sean Quinn (James English 89’ ), Derek Prendergast, Luke Byrne, Jaze Kabia

Subs: Colin McCabe, Alex O’Hanlon, Ciaran Kilduff, James English, Aidan Friel, Greg Moorehouse, Darragh Noone

Referee: Rob Harvey