Arubi earns Dundalk point as Bohs’ lead is cut

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson was in attendance at Dalymount Park

Patrick Hickey headed Bohemians into a 20th minute lead against Dundalk. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Bohemians 1 Dundalk 1

Bohemians remain unbeaten and continue to set the pace at the summit, but their lead has been reduced to a single point. Try as they might, they just couldn’t shake Dundalk, who continue to build a strong case for longevity in the top flight on their return.

Bohs were well placed to kick on after Patrick Hickey’s opener midway through the opening half, but Gbemi Arubi equalised in the 59th minute and either side could have snatched winners thereafter in a lively clash at Dalymount Park.

It was clear within the opening minutes that spectators - including Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson - would be getting value for money. Attacking intent was evident on both sides and the respective goalkeepers pulled off early, quick-fire saves, with Enda Minogue using his legs to deny Colm Whelan before Kacper Chorazka’s strong hand thwarted Harry Groome from 10 yards.

And the ding-dong nature to the contest carried on throughout, with both sides adopting a have-a-go approach. The trouble for Dundalk was they were playing catch-up from the 20th minute, as Hickey headed the Gypsies in front by timing his arrival to perfection to meet Markuss Strods’ cross off Dawson Devoy’s quick free-kick.

Before the break, the big American nearly doubled his tally with a carbon copy of last week’s winner here against Galway United, but this time his glancing header off a Strods corner fizzed just wide.

But there's a good reason why Dundalk had only lost once in seven games arriving here. They bow to nobody and Eoin Kenny’s star continues to rise. He was a handful throughout and kept Bohs honest by whipping a number of superb crosses into the box that were crying out to be punished.

Arubi nearly connected with one at the back post before turning provider in first-half injury-time, sending a fierce ball into the danger area. Harvey Warren couldn’t have been in a better position but steered his header over the bar from close range.

But there was no panic in the visiting ranks. Dundalk knew they were well in contention and duly pulled level on the hour. Keith Buckley’s deep, diagonal ball was brilliantly kept in play by Sean Spaight but Chorazka didn’t deal with the subsequent high ball to the near post, allowing Arubi outmuscled him in the air and head home.

Dundalk had no intention of settling for a draw and immediately pushed for a winner, but Chorazka made amends to deny Arubi at point blank range, before batting away Kenny’s follow-up. Ultimately the Lilywhites were good value for their point, even if Jordan Flores and Hugh Martin struck fear into them with late, late efforts.

BOHEMIANS: Chorazka; Power, Hickey, Todd, Mullen (Vaughan 74); Devoy, Flores; Myers (McDonnell 60), Tierney, Strods (Parsons 60); Whelan (Martin 86).

DUNDALK: Minogue; JR Wilson, Animasahun (Spaight 51), Warren, T Wilson; Burns, Buckley; Kenny, Groome (McDaid 68), Horgan; Arubi Referee: R Hennessy (Limerick)