Bohs take spoils in derby game marred by crowd problems

Declan Devine got the response he might merely have conjured in dreams, as the under-pressure Bohemians boss watching his side surprise a disappointing Saint Patrick's to avenge their FAI Cup final defeat in gutsy style.

A cold night in Inchicore will be recalled by the capacity crowd more due to flares than flair as a forgettable stalemate seemed likely, only for Jordan Flores' penalty after Marcelo Pitaluga was deemed to trip Dayle Rooney decided matters with 11 minutes to go.

The expectation was that Pat's would be the better side but they were so in patches at best and Bohs, with four points from their opening two games, will wonder what all the negativity was about. It promises to be one hell of a Premier Division in 2024.

It had been a madcap 24 hours for Bohs on the transfer front. They signed Hull City defender Jevon Mills, fellow defender Luke Matheson on loan from Bolton, Polish striker Filip Piszczek and Aboubacar Keita from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids on deadline day.

Mills and Piszczek started on the bench, with Bohs reeling from the horrific injury suffered by defensive talisman Rob Cornwall against Sligo on week one. They started with Jordan Flores, a midfielder, and Cian Byrne centre-back.

With the smoke of the flares engulfing Richmond Park, Kian Leavy looked as though he'd lost control but, recovering, got space and struck a powerful effort over Kacper Chorazka's bar in the opening minute.
Chris Forrester was enjoying himself and dinked an effort 13 minutes in, aiming for the top corner, that did not unduly bother the Polish stopper.

Midway through the first half, there were groans from the home crowd, as the visiting fans grew in voice, with neither side establishing supremacy. Then beautiful poise and