Derby draw with Bohemians ends Shelbourne's long reign at top

Bohemians gave their season a welcome boost with their best display in some time by knocking long-term leaders Shelbourne off their perch at the top of the Premier Division table after a draw at Tolka Park.

A tenaciously contested north-side derby saw the sides swap early goals, Danny Grant putting Bohemians ahead before Ali Coote quickly equalised.

Bohemians' run without a league win may now stretch to 10 games, but the result keeps them four points clear of the relegation play-off place.

With Shelbourne now four games without a league win, Derry City’s 1-0 victory in Waterford puts them top on goal difference, breaking a 22-match, five-month leadership at the summit for Damien Duff’s side who do have a game in hand.

Having won in Drumcondra back in mid-April, Bohemians started the brighter here again, Dayle Rooney having a venomous drive blocked by Shane Griffin inside three minutes.

The winger then threaded a pass through for the run of James Akintunde, played onside by Paddy Barrett, who wastefully drilled this shot wide across goal.

Barrett redeemed that misjudgment with a brave block on a Grant shot after the winger had surged in from the left flank as Bohemians maintained their early momentum.

And Alan Reynolds' side got their reward with a fine lead goal on 13 minutes.

Grant worked a one-two with left-back Paddy Kirk to surge into the area, cutting past both Shelbourne skipper Mark Coyle and Barrett, before his low drive deflected to the net off the leg of goalkeeper Conor Kearns.

All the visitors' good work was undone within a minute, though, as Shelbourne, having been scarcely in the game up until then, were gifted an equaliser following a comedy of errors.

With goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka having come way off his line