Bohs were unfancied going into last Friday’s game against champions Dundalk, who have a 100 per cent record away from home in the league this season.

While the game finished 2-0 to the league leaders, once again the scoreline did not tell the whole story.

Long’s men enjoyed the lion’s share of both possession and chances in the opening half before coming unstuck from a stunning Daryl Horgan free-kick seven minutes before half-time.

Long said: “We played very well in the first half. I thought at the time that we should have had a penalty in the first half too and, after seeing it again, I’m sure it was a penalty.

“Then Gary Rogers made a great save to deny Derek Prendergast. Last year, these were the things that were going our way, going in for us and making the difference.

“It still hasn’t quite happened for us yet this season but we are determined to rectify that.”

Getting back to winning ways at Finn Park will be easier said than done.

Since winning promotion to the Premier Division, Ollie Horgan’s men have won three of their five home league games this season, while their two defeats in Ballybofey have been decided by the odd goal.

Long added: “Harps have continued the home form they had last season since they came up.

“They’ve made Finn Park an intimidating place to go to, but our lads know what is expected of them.”

Long is once again without Ismahil Akinade (hamstring), Jason Caffrey (hamstring) and Adam Evans (virus). James Kavanagh (virus) will also sit this one out, but Eoin Wearen (hip) is back in contention.

Luck has been in short supply in recent weeks. After Dublin derby defeats to Shamrock Rovers in the league and on penalties to Shelbourne in the EA Sports Cup, Bohs sought to get back to winning ways against high-flying Derry City last Friday.

But, despite a lively second-half performance, the Gypsies were left frustrated at The Brandywell when a strong defensive display saw the second-placed Candystripes eke out a 1-0 victory for their fifth home league win from five.

Long said: “Derry are flying at the moment, but we felt we should have got something out of it.

“Kurtis Byrne had the best chance of the game and we should have had a penalty in the second half when Paddy Kavanagh was fouled in the box.

“We didn’t play the referee or go looking for the penalty like some teams would – maybe we need to be cuter in those situations in future.

“We were disappointed with the goal we conceded too. We had spoken of the threat posed by Barry McNamee’s runs and it was an easy finish for Rory Patterson.”

Eoin Wearen (hip), Ismahil Akinade (hamstring), Jason Caffrey (hamstring) and Adam Evans (virus) will sit out Friday’s game.

But Long’s defensive options are boosted by the return of captain Derek Pender, Anto Murphy and Dylan Hayes, who all sat out the Derry game with a virus that has hampered team selections over the last month.

The unavailability of Bohs’ three most prominent options at right-back saw Dan Byrne deputise in that position in Derry.

Long added: “Kenny Shiels talked about his players being fatigued. On top of everything, we had played over 120 minutes in the EA Sports Cup on the Monday and had a 3½-hour trip up to Derry four days later!

“We had to play the hand we were dealt and switch things around, but I think we are in a much better place this week.”

“Everyone is hurting, but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve got to pick ourselves up, go to Derry and put in a fighting performance and show some character.”

Although Friday’s scoreline suggested Rovers dominance, Bohs can be forgiven for wondering what might have been.

The better team for much of opening half, the home side were dismantled by some clinical Rovers finishing a minute either side of half-time.

Long said: “The timing of the goals killed us. For the opener, it was a needless free-kick to give away in a dangerous position and we got punished.

“We came back out after the break in a positive mind and straight away hit the crossbar. Then Rovers go down the other end, hit us with a sucker-punch and we are left chasing the game.”

Trailing in the same fixture at the same venue last season, Bohs changed from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation, substituting a midfielder, Jake Hyland, for a striker, Dean Kelly. The move saw the home side score three goals in the final 15 minutes to clinch a 3-1 win.

Losing 2-0 down last Friday, Bohs made similar tactical switch, with midfielder Keith Buckley making way for striker Kurtis Byrne on 56 minutes.

Long said: “We brought on a second striker and sacrificed a midfielder to try get a goal back and get back into the game.

“We did something similar in the same fixture last season and it worked for us. We tried it last week and it didn’t work. Chasing the game, we left ourselves exposed and were punished.”

A determined performance saw Bohs look to make amends against Shels on Monday. But after large spells of dominance and countless goal-scoring opportunities, the Gypsies failed to find the net and came unstuck in a penalty shootout.

Long said: “The week went from bad to worse. Anything can happen in a penalty shootout but it was very frustrating as we created more than enough chances – both in normal time and in extra time – to win comfortably.”

The Gypsies won’t have it any easier when they travel to face high-flying Derry City. Long’s side won all three fixtures against the Candystripes last season, including two victories at The Brandywell.

But under new manager Kenny Shiels, Derry are a different animal this year, occupying second place and just two points off defending champions Dundalk.

Long said: “It’s going to be a very difficult game for us. Derry are in really good form, have some really good players and have made The Brandywell a fortress again.”

Once again, Bohs’ options have been disrupted by both illness and injury. Ismahil Akinade and Jason Caffrey are both ruled out with hamstring injuries.

There was, however, some good news with Dylan Hayes, whose injury against Shels held the game up for 12 minutes, discharged quickly from hospital on Monday night. Hayes said: “It was nothing too serious – just an elbow to the head and all precautions had to be taken.”

Of more concern is the flu-like virus which has affected several members of the squad over the past month, including Hayes.

Hayes and Jake Kelly played through the symptoms on Monday, but the former is not considered well enough for tomorrow.

Ayman Ben Mohamed and captain Derek Pender, both now suffering with the bug, are also regarded as doubtful for the trip.

Eoin Wearen, Dave Mulcahy and Jake Kelly have all sat out games at various stages with the same virus, while Roberto Lopes was also affected.

Once again, Bohs come into this fixture chasing the Hoops in the table.

Currently in seventh place on ten points, victory tomorrow would see the Gypsies leapfrog Rovers, who sit fifth on 12 points.

Long said: “Our record in previous games against Rovers doesn’t come into it and the clubs’ positions in the table counts for nothing coming into a derby either.

“These games are tight, tense and have often been decided on a mistake or sometimes on who wants it more. I’ve no doubt it will be a keenly-contested affair as always.”

Bohs are in form after two successive 2-0 league victories against Longford Town and Bray Wanderers respectively, with an entertaining 4-3 Leinster Senior Cup win over Dundalk in between.

Long said: “Our results have improved. It was important that we settled as we had an indifferent start to the season.

“Bray was always going to be a tough game and it took us a while to get into it. But when we got going, I thought we put in a very solid and professional performance.

“We’ve back-to-back victories in the league now – including our first away from home – and kept a clean sheet in both, so our confidence is good.”

Rovers’ last outing was a 3-0 loss away to Derry City last Friday and Long added: “Rovers will be hurting from that defeat. Pat Fenlon will have his players ready for this game and demanding an improvement.”

Dave Mulcahy comes back into contention for Bohs after missing the Bray game with a virus. But Mark Quigley (quad) and Jake Kelly (virus) are doubtful. Jason Caffrey (hamstring) remains out.