Bohemians 1, Dundalk 2: Goals from Brian Gartland and John Mountney were crucial at Dalymount Park last night, when champions Dundalk survived a late onslaught from Bohemians to go four points clear of Cork City at the summit of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The visitors offered the greater attacking threat during a fast-paced opening, and after a free-kick from Dane Massey had rebounded off the woodwork, the Lilywhites ultimately broke the deadlock in the 24th-minute.

The excellent Mountney’s perfectly-weighted corner found its way towards centre-half Gartland, who flicked superbly beyond the reach of former Ipswich Town and Dublin GAA shotstopper Shane Supple with the outside of his right-boot.

It was a deserved lead for Stephen Kenny’s men, but thanks to a superb double save by the impressive Supple from Massey and McMillan at the end of the opening period, Bohs remained in contention.

Dundalk, whose goalkeeper, Gary Rogers, will join Martin O’Neill’s international squad for Monday’s trip to Serbia, continued to dominate possession upon the resumption, and when Mountney’s low drive from long-distance drifted into the bottom corner of the net 20 minutes into the second half, they seemed destined to claim all three points.

However, the resilient Bohs reduced their deficit just two minutes later as Byrne found the top right-hand corner of the Dundalk goal with a thumping volley from a tight left-hand angle.

This set the game up for a frantic finale, but even though Byrne was agonisingly wide of the mark seven minutes from time, Dundalk eventually held out for a hard-earned win.

BOHEMIANS:

Supple; Hayes, Prendergast, D Byrne, Fitzgerald; Lopes, Wearen; Kavanagh, Buckley, O’Halloran (Kelly 61); K Byrne.

DUNDALK:

Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; O’Donnell, Finn; Mountney (C O’Connor 85), McEleney (Shields 67), Horgan; McMillan (Shiels 88).

Referee:

J McKell (Tipperary).