Slippery conditions, swirling winds, and a steady stream of rain made this tension-charged game even scrappier than it needed to be. Bohs were clearly the more nervous team. Bray knew exactly what they needed to do, but Bohs lacked the Seagulls’ urgency. The home side knew a point would suit them, and they seemed to play with this in the back of their minds. The very first play of the game saw Karl Moore let the ball slip under his foot and out of play, and the pattern continued frustratingly like this for most of the night.

Even though their play wasnt particularly slick, Bohs were well on top of the first half as Bray sat back to an almost staggering degree. Dinny Corcoran and Ryan McEvoy combined for a well worked corner, but McEvoy’s shot was blocked by old friend Jason Byrne. Nerves on the pitch were echoed in the Jodi Stand, where the Bohs fans got some solace from the fact that Shamrock Rovers were surprisingly doing them a favour in beating UCD. Corcoran had the best chance of the half just before the break following superb work from Karl Moore down the left. Moore fed Keith Buckley, who laid off to Corcoran – but the striker’s shot flew over the bar from 10 yards.

As the game wore on, the growing realisation that this would be ‘one of those nights’ became all too apparent. The key moment arroved on 67 minutes. Stephen Traynor was played clean through by a nice lobbed Corcoran pass, but dallyed too long and allowed keeper Darren Quigley to block down his tame shot. In the ensuing scramble, the ball somehow popped up to an onrushing Corcoran, who could only direct his shot onto the crossbar. Bohs fans shared knowing looks; they’ve been following this team for too long to think it would all be wrapped up in a neat little package.

The inevitable goal came against the run of play on 76 minutes. Ryan McEvoy seemed to be fouled in the air, and the Bohs players seemed to stop. Neil Yadolahi played an aimless ball into no one, and suddenly Bray were on the attack. Kevin O’Connor slipped a lovely ball through to Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters who trapped the ball well but still had a lot to do. He wonderfully held off challenges from Yadolahi and Lopes before keeping his balance and firing past Dean Delany in off the upright. No one has ever explained why Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters is called Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters, but if things go wrong next week, Bohs fans will be cursing his names.

The fightback never really materialised. There was one appeal for a penalty when Corcoran seemed to be manhandled in the Bray box, but the toothless attacking display never really looked like creating a goal all night. The final whistle should have resulted in a celebration and even a mini lap of honour, but instead was greeted with something of a stunned silence.

Next week’s final fixtures almost certainly pits the Gypsies with the most difficult game of the three relegation showdowns. They travel to Drogheda to face a group of players eager to impress ahead of the following week’s FAI Cup final. UCD take on an already relegated and turgid Shelbourne team, while Bray are at home to a Dundalk side that have already sealed European qualification. Just to reiterate, both Bray and UCD have to win and Bohs have to lose for the unthinkable to happen. Stranger things have occured in football, and there will undoubtedly be some squeaky bums heading north on the M1  next Friday evening.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney, Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Neil Yadohali, Luke Byrne, Keith Buckley, Darragh Reynor (Dave Scully 88), Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore (Andy Mulligan, 85) Stephen Traynor (Kevin Devaney, 79), Dinny Corcoran. Subs not used: Owen Heary, Michael Barker, Daniel Byrne, Greg Murray.

Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley, David Webster, Shane O’Connor, Danny O’Connor (Daire Doyle 63), Dean Zambra, Ismahil Akinade, Kevin Maher, John Mulroy, Kevin O’Connor, Kieran Marty Waters, Jason Byrne (Gary Dempsey 75). Subs not used: Kevin Knight, Eoin Hyland, Ryan Coombes, Niall Cooney, Shane Redmond.

Attendance: 1,376

“It’s going to be a battle, a dog-fight. There might not be much football in it but we have to roll up our sleeves and dig out a result.”

When he joined the club a month ago Browne saw the intensive, high-tempo training, the strong morale and the professional approach, and recalls telling assistant Owen Heary: “This is not a relegation team”.

Browne’s experience since then has confirmed his view of the team’s potential not just to survive in the Premier Division but to progress further next year.

He has also been working with the under-19s and they are recovering from a rough patch. There are some players in that group, Browne believes, who could step up to the senior squad next year.

“We have been concentrating on survival in the league. It was our clear priority to make sure Bohs were in the Premier Division next year. As soon as that is secure, we need to sit down with the players and plan ahead.”

Bohemians may go into Friday’s game without ex-Bray player, Dave Mulcahy. The 35-year-old has been a rock at the centre of midfield and an example to the younger players through his work-rate. He took a knock to the ankle in last weekend’s match against Dundalk and is unlikely to be fit for selection.

This may mean Darragh Reynor plays in the centre as Shane Murray, who injured his knee against Limerick, has returned to training but may not make the match-day squad.

Defender Anto Murphy (ulcer) remains out but his replacement, Neil Yadolahi, topped up his effective performance of defensive duties with a stoppage-time equaliser against Dundalk.

“Neil has plenty of confidence and scoring the goal is great for him too. He has also been doing the basic things well and he hasn’t looked out of place,” said Browne.

The late equaliser was just reward, he added. “Our first-half performance was maybe the worst since I came in. We were sitting off them. But the pleasing thing was that we stayed in the game even though we weren’t playing well. We got ourselves together and dug out a result.

“It showed good character and good fighting spirit. Psychologically, it was a massive point for us.”

If Bohemians’ survival is assured late in Friday’s game, Owen Heary may appear in one last competitive game at Dalymount Park as a Bohemian player. Browne believes he deserves much credit for Bohs’ recovery.

“I came into a set-up that was very much Owen’s team and I told him I was not going to change it up, especially as it wasn’t broken,” said Browne. “Hopefully we can finish it off on Friday and Owen will be rewarded.”

Bohs’ recovery began three months ago at the Carlisle Grounds when Bohs ended a losing run with a 3-1 defeat of Friday’s opponents in Heary’s first match as caretaker manager.

Heary and many current and former associates will return next month to Dalymount to celebrate his illustrious 20-year playing career in an Owen Heary Tribute Match (Sunday 17 November, 3pm).

Dundalk then began to assert themselves, clearly looking to make amends for their controversial but brave cup exit last week against rivals Drogheda United. Vinny Faherty had claims for a penalty and a great chance to double the lead before the half-time whistle came, but the score remained 1-0 going into the break.

Into the second half, Bohs were gifted one of the rarest of scoring opportunities. A lapse in concentration from Dundalk net-minder Cherrie saw him pick up a ball that was kicked back to him from one of his own defenders. Referee Paul Tuite pointed to the six-yard line for an indirect free-kick for the back-pass. The majority of the away side lined up on the goal-line, and McEvoy’s lay-off to Stephen Traynor only resulted in the shot being charged down and blocked.

Both sides stiffened up after this Dundalk let-off, leaving chances at a premium. One side was fighting to keep alive their title hopes, however slim they may have been with St Pat’s firmly in the driving seat, and the other battling for those last few points to ensure safety and top division status for next season.

With 13 minutes left on the clock, it looked like Dundalk’s title efforts would continue strongly for another week, while Bohs would have to wait to celebrate salvation. Luke Byrne’s tackle on John Mountney at the edge of the box was seen as a foul in the eyes of ref Tuite, and captain and former Bohs man Stephen O’Donnell stepped up to take the kick. His audacious attempted chip into the top left corner of the net went safely out of play for a Bohs goal-kick, much to the delight of the home fans.

The Gypsies knew they had been let off with the penalty miss and were spurred by the opportunity given to them to get back and earn something from this game. The players waged on in search of the goal, substitute Kevin Devaney stung Cherrie’s fingers as the keeper sent the ball out for a corner, which fellow substitute Darragh Reynor took. Young centre-half Neil Yadolahi met the cross perfectly and ended the Lilywhites’ title ambitions with his first goal for the Gypsies.

With Bray beating Limerick 1-0 on Sunday, focus now turns to the Seagulls’ visit to Dalymount this Friday. Pat Devlin’s men are now just five points behind Bohs and with two games remaining. A point for the Gypsies would be enough to avoid the dreaded play-off.

Bohemians: Delany; Pender, Lopes, Yadolahi, Byrne; Buckley (Mulligan, 60), Mulcahy (Reynor, 60), McEvoy, Moore; Traynor (Devaney, 79); Corcoran.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Rossiter, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Mountney, Sullivan, O’Donnell, Dillon (McCaffrey, 60), Byrne  (Murphy, 85), Faherty (Hoban, 88).

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).

“When we went to the bottom of the table and we were playing Rovers, Pat’s and Sligo, people said we wouldn’t get a point from those games. But we got four points from nine. That gave the players the belief they needed.”

Saturday’s match will test their mettle once again. “Dundalk are a tough team and, after what’s happened in the past week, they’ll want to get a good result,” said Heary.

“People say they have over-achieved but I don’t think they have. They have a good manager, and good players and they have lads who have won medals or played over in England or Scotland, and with experience. But our players know that a win on Saturday will ensure we stay up.”

Dundalk have provided stiff opposition this season, winning both league games against Bohemians and keeping a clean sheet home and away.

Already, Heary is looking to what this squad can do next season if it can be kept together. With the addition of “a couple more experienced players and a couple more in certain positions”, Bohemians could next year be “fighting at the better end of the table, for European places”, Heary believes. “We need to let lads know they’re wanted and do our business early,” he added.

The contribution of the re-signed Anto Murphy – along with those of Delany, Pender, Mulcahy and four-season ‘veteran’ Ryan McEvoy – has shown the value of mixing experience with youth.

But Bohemians must prepare for Friday without Murphy. Having recovered from a hamstring injury, he is being treated for an ulcer.

Heary is pleased with how Neil Yadolahi has stepped up to take Murphy’s place. “He was thrown in at the deep end and he has done very well. He was unlucky in Limerick, when he had a good header and the keeper pulled off a great save.”

Shane Murray’s knee injury from last week’s match against Limerick has turned out not to be as serious as first thought but he remains out for Friday. However, Stephen Traynor, who missed the Limerick game with a quad injury, is back.

Coupons must be returned to the Club by 7pm sharp on October 15th (World Cup coupon) and October 22nd. (Champions League coupon).

All funds raised as usual go to the Bohemian Football Club.