Filip Piszczek helps Bohemians end winless run in Dublin derby with Shamrock Rovers
Having scored his first Bohemians goal against Shamrock Rovers in the 1-1 draw back in May, Filip Piszczek further endeared himself to the Gypsies' faithful when heading a late winner to down their arch-rivals in a riveting Dublin derby on a Sunday morning at Dalymount Park.
With the champions down to ten men following Lee Grace's sending off, Bohemians drove home their advantage on 84 minutes.
Fellow substitute and captain Jordan Flores swept over a sublime cross from the left. With Leon Pohls inexplicably frozen on his line, Pole Piszczek arrived to head home.
It marked the most welcome of wins for Bohemians in every respect, their first in the league in 11 games.
Adding to their having knocked them out of the FAI Cup in July, Bohemians have now also surely ended any tenuous thoughts of Rovers retaining their title as they drop to sixth place in the table, 13 points behind leaders Shelbourne.
Indeed, ending a week in which they learned their opponents for their upcoming league phase of the Conference League, Rovers now face a battle to qualify for Europe next season.
In a frenetic first half of end-to-end action on the uneven surface, Bohemians Kacper Chorazka was the first goalkeeper to be worked when turning a Marc McNulty shot clumsily around a post.
And there was further worry for Bohemians in the ensuing minutes.
The well-positioned Leigh Kavanagh first cleared off the line from McNulty following Graham Burke’s long throw before Danny Grant tracked back to get a block to McNulty’s shot after he had worked a neat one-two with Neil Farrugia.
But there was no reprieve for the overworked Bohs rearguard as Rovers were deservedly in front on 15 minutes.
Referee Paul McLaughlin played an advantage after Darragh Burns was fouled by