Mulcahy goal gets Bohs off bottom

Bohemians 1 Shamrock Rovers 0

Rovers misery was compounded by missing a late penalty.

Bohs struck for what proved the matchwinner from a corner on three minutes.

Andy Mulligan put the ball low into the area, Anto Murphy dummied it for Luke Byrne to shoot, and Mulcahy gleefully helped the ball to the net.

Rovers were almost level three minutes after the Bohs score but Ledwith’s free-kick hitting a post.

Mulcahy was proving inspirational for Bohs, energetically getting back to block a shot from Karl Sheppard.

Rovers were then denied a penalty after Anto Murphy clearly handled the ball. But referee Sutton waved play on.

Rovers were almost level three minutes after the breakbut Sheppard’s effort brought a smart save from Delany.

Bohs came within inches of stretching their lead on the hour mark when Mulligan’s low drive flew wide of the far post.

Rovers looked set to level when referee Padraigh Sutton pointed to the penalty spot for an apparent handball by Derek Pender on 79 minutes. But Ronan Finn blasted his spot kick off the crossbar.

BOHEMIANS: Delany; Pender, Lopes, A. Murphy, L. Byrne; Shannon (Buckley, 53), Mulcahy, D. Byrne, Mulligan; C. Murphy (Traynor, 60), Corcoran (Scully, 83).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; McCormack, Sullivan, Oman, Powell; Ryan; McCabe (Stewart, h/t), Finn, Robinson (Zayed, 85), Ledwith (Quigley, 65); Sheppard.

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).