“We came from behind to win it and that’s the second time we’ve done that against Bray this season, which is the kind of character we know we need.

“Bray were second in the table for a reason, so it was a very good result, especially given the run we were on.

“The challenge now is to build on it. We can’t dwell too much on one result – we’ve two big games this week.”

The first of those sees Bohs host Limerick at Dalymount Park tonight before travelling to Galway on Friday.

The Gypsies came out on top with a 1-0 victory the last time they faced the Shannonsiders in March, but much has changed at the Markets Field club since.

They parted ways with Martin Russell at the start of April and the highly-experienced Neil McDonald was finally appointed as his permanent successor as manager last week.

McDonald has previously bossed the likes of Carlisle and Blackpool and had served on the backroom team of former Limerick manager Sam Allardyce at Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham, and under Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace and Mike Phelan at Hull City.

Long said: “Limerick are not going to be easy opponents.

“They’ve a new manager who has worked at a very high level and while they lost to Dundalk on Friday, he will have had a few days working with them to try put his own stamp on things.

“With a new manager, we can’t be sure about what way he will approach the game.

“Under Martin, they were quite open and expansive. We just have to be ready to adapt to whatever way they set up.

“But we’re looking forward to it, we want to build a bit of momentum now.”

The return of frontman Dinny Corcoran has increased the optimism levels around the dressing room and understandably so.

Having scored five in five league games at the start of the season, Corcoran had been missing since being forced off with a knee injury against Galway United on St Patrick’s Day.

He got his first start since then against Shamrock Rovers 11 days ago and returned to form with two goals against Bray, dovetailing perfectly with a refreshed and bullish Keith Ward.

Long said: “It’s great to have Dinny back. We needed that focal point in the team.

“With us missing Dinny and Izzy Akinade, it wasn’t easy for players being asked to play in an unfamiliar role.

“But Dinny is a natural centre-forward and a natural goalscorer. We saw that again on Friday.

“He doesn’t panic in front of goal – his first against Bray was an exceptional finish after a great ball in by Keith.

“Wardy has probably suffered in Dinny’s absence. They have a brilliant understanding, it’s almost telepathic. The two of them were excellent.”

While Corcoran and Ward took most of the compliments, the boys at the back played their part too.

Long added: “We were disappointed with the goal we conceded to be fair but, collectively and individually, we were quite solid in defence otherwise.

“Derek Pender kept Dylan Connolly quiet for most of the night, which is no easy task.

“We put Ian Morris in at left-back – an unfamiliar role for him – because we thought his height would be an advantage defensively.

“Dan Byrne and Rob Cornwall were solid in the centre too and Shane Supple, as well as pulling off a few great saves, kept the pressure off the defence by coming forward and collecting corners and crosses.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohs continue with an unchanged squad. Long-term absentees Ismahil Akinade (surgery to remove spleen) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) the only players ruled out.

“It’s up to us now to go out, show what we are capable of and put things right.

“We’ve analysed the game and where we went wrong. We matched Rovers for much of the game but ultimately they were more clinical.”

In a congested league table, just seven points separates Derry City in fourth place and Bohs in 10th.

And having slipped into the relegation zone, Long has challenged his side to dig deep to climb back up again.

Bohs’ previous meeting with tomorrow’s opposition is the perfect reminder of the character his team possesses.

When they met in March, the Gypsies bossed the first half before falling 2-0 behind after the break. They refused to let that deter them and battled back to claim a 3-2 victory.

Long said: “There is plenty of fight and spirit in this team, they’re certainly not lacking that.

“But previous games have no bearing on this one. Bray are up to second for a reason. They’re an excellent team.

“But we know our results have to pick up and we will not be found wanting.”

There was one big positive to take out of the Rovers game, however, with star forward Dinny Corcoran playing the full 90 minutes.

With options up front already limited by the absence of Ismahil Akinade due to surgery to remove his spleen, Bohs could have done without losing another striker.

Last Friday was Corcoran’s first game since suffering a knee injury against Galway United on St Patrick’s Day – his team-mates scored just three league goals in his absence.

Long added: “You could see in his performance that he hadn’t played.

“He’s fit but there’s no fitness like match fitness, so it is a huge positive that he got the 90 minutes.

“We didn’t expect him to see out the full game but he will be all the better for it now.”

TEAM NEWS

Skipper Derek Pender, forced off with a groin injury last week, is expected to be okay to start.

Ismahil Akinade is continuing his recovery after surgery to remove his spleen. It is hoped that he will return to action at the start of July.

Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remains sidelined.

Rovers doubled their lead in a fairly scrappy first half through a quite outstanding finish from Trevor Clarke. The wide man cut inside on his left foot from the right wing and bent a wonderful curling effort to the far post giving Shane Supple no chance.

The full blooded affair showed no signs of slowing down in the second half with both Rob Cornwall and Fuad Sule booked early on as the Gypsies tried desperately to claw their way back in to the game.

The Hoops defence stood strong to anything the Gypsies threw at them, and despite a barrage of long Ian Morris throw-ins, Bohs just could get a clear effort on Tomer Chencinski’s goal, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Rovers saw out the game in relevant comfort for the last few minutes despite the home sides best efforts to make it three wins from three against the Gypsies this season

A bitterly disappoint defeat for Keith Longs troops as they look nervously at the relegation battle ahead but Rovers look to be playing to their potential with another big win following the victory over reigning Champions Dundalk last week.

Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall, Dinny Corcoran, Kaleem Simon, Patrick Kavanagh, Oscar Brennan, Fuad Sule, Ian Morris

Subs: Greg Murray, Philip Gannon, Keith Ward, Jamie Doyle, Dean Casey, Georgie Poynton, Dylan Hayes

Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski, Luke Byrne, Dave Webster, Roberto Lopes, Ronan Finn, Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw, David McAllister, Simon Madden, Trevor Clarke, Graham Burke

Subs: Kevin Horgan, Michael O’Connor, Daniel Devine, Sean Boyd, James Doona, Sean Heaney, Sam Bone

Referee: Paul McLoughlin