Dundalk defeat Bohemians 1-0 thanks to controversial Darragh Leahy goal

Ten-man Dundalk were dogged until the end as they held firm to secure a valuable win on the road at a sun-soaked Dalymount Park.

The Lilywhites hardly enjoyed long spells of domination, but they were determined enough to hold out for a narrow win courtesy of a controversial, freak goal from Darragh Leahy.

On the stroke of half-time, the left-back struck a hit-and-hope clearance towards the Bohemians goal which was contested for in the box by both John Martin and goalkeeper Tadgh Ryan.

There was a collision between striker and goalkeeper – leaving both on the floor and the ball in the net, courtesy of a fumbled catch by the latter.

Bohemians were furious it wasn't called as a foul but the goal was allowed to stand after a moment of thought from referee Adriano Reale.

Dundalk suffered a nervy ending after Andy Boyle was flashed a straight red card early in the second half, following a cynical foul on Ethon Varian.

However, Bohemians missed a series of late chances, as Dundalk left with all three points and reduced the gap on Shamrock Rovers to four points.

In a quirk of the summer football fixture schedule, this was the Gypsies first home game for 42 days.

And the Dublin side have undergone a drastic transformation since their home fans last saw them.

Like many of their domestic rivals, Keith Long's side suffered a summer raid when they lost Promise Omochere and Dawson Devoy – their two top-scorers this season – to Fleetwood Town and MK Dons respectively.

However, Long has recruited from home and abroad to introduce nine summer signings – seven of whom started here.

Individual skill from Ali Coote and James Clarke gave Bohs the best of the early chances.

Jinking past Leahy, Coote charged forward before winning the game's first corner