• Daire Walsh

ANDRE WRIGHT and James Talbot stood up to the plate as Bohemians survived a penalty shootout scare against Longford Town.

Wright’s effort gave the Gypsies a 5-4 lead in sudden death.

And then Talbot denied opposite number Lee Steacy to seal Bohs’ passage into the quarter-finals at Dalymount Park.

While Longoford manager Neale Fenn’s departure was not officially announced prior to kick-off, Daire Doyle assumed temporary charge for their trip to Dublin.

The Gypsies started well and when Danny Mandroiu lofted a precise delivery towards James Finnerty on the half-hour mark, it looked like the centre-half had scored.

However, despite claims from Bohs that the ball had crossed the line, it was adjudged to have been scrambled behind for a corner.

Steacy enjoyed a previous spell between the sticks for the Gypsies and he kept his current employers in the frame with a superb save from Danny Grant.

Aaron Dobbs then forced a fine stop out of Talbot at the far end.

But as the action progressed, First Division Longford increasingly found themselves on the back-foot. Yet when Anto Breslin was pushed over in the area on 82 minutes, they were presented with
an opportunity to snatch a famous victory.

But to the relief of the Bohs faithful, Sam Verdon’s penalty rebounded off the post as the sides headed for extra-time.

And the hosts looked set to push forward after Wright’s close-range finish opened the scoring 51 seconds.

But Longford fired back immediately through Jack Doherty’s right-footed strike to increase the nerves.

That sent the game to penalties where Talbot (left) and Wright proved the heroes as Keith Long’s side survived a massive scare.

SUN STAR MAN: Andre Wright (Bohs).

BOHEMIANS: Talbot 8; Lyons 7, Finery 7, Cornwall 7 (Barker 91, 6), Leahy 7; Levingston 7, Buckley 7 (Ward 75, 6); Wade-Slater 7, Mandroiu 7, Grant 7 (Tierney 79, 6); Wright 8.

LONGFORD TOWN: Steacy 7; Elworthy 7, McDonnell 7, Kenna 7, Breslin 7; Zambra 7 (Chambers 102, 6), Dervin 7, Byrne 7; Grimes 6 (Hopkins 72, 6), Verdon 7, Dobbs 7 (Doherty 86, 6).

REFEREE: P Tuite (Dublin).