Waterford United overturned a two-goal deficit to grab a dramatic win, as a bumper crowd of 4,267 were on hand to witness a five goal-thriller in a clash carrying huge implications at both ends of the table.
Two first half goals from Dayle Rooney and Dawson Devoy looked to have Bohs in the driving seat but a stunning second half comeback from The Blues saw Keith Long come back to haunt his old side for the third time this season.
The hosts, with one win in their previous 13 games and no win in the league since May prior to kick-off, were looking anxiously over their shoulder at the relegation playoff position, whilst the visitors had loftier ambitions having put themselves well in the mix for a European spot.
Hoping to change two previous draws into wins, Boh's to their credit started confidently and deservedly took the lead in just the seventh minute with one of the goals of the season.
Starting with a short pass between keeper Kacper Chorazka and Cian Byrne, the ball was moved smoothly through the lines before skipper Adam McDonnell played the ball to the feet of Dayle Rooney. The inform wide man quickly cut inside Darragh Power before unleashing an unstoppable shot high to the near post to give his side the lead.
The visitors, who made two changes to the side that narrowly lost at home to Shamrock Rovers and suffered a blow this week learning that starlet Romeo Akachukwu had opted to move across the water to Southampton for a club record undisclosed fee, responded brilliantly.
Firstly, Barry Baggley saw his 25-yard free kick narrowly miss the target before The Gypsie's stopper Kacper Chorazka - as he has done on many occasions this season - pulled off a wonder save to deny Samuel Glenfield’s downward header from just a couple of yards out.
The home side's goal was living a charmed life as they struggled to deal with some well worked set-pieces. Next up was the man who’s goal made the difference in their last visit to Dalymount, Padraig Amond, who saw a header of his own clip the top of the crossbar.
But as the old adage goes, if you don't take your chances at this level you get punished, and that’s just what happened as The Gypsies put together another fine passage of play with goalscorer Rooney turning assister, standing up an deliciously inviting ball to the penalty spot for Dawson Devoy to side foot back across goal into the bottom corner to give his side a two-goal cushion at the break.
The deficit was incredibly halved just a minute after the restart. Having looked threatening from set-pieces throughout, another well worked short corner between Connor Parsons and Baggley saw a quality cross flicked on by Rowan McDonald before deflecting into his own goal by Adam McDonnell to set up a humdinger of a second half.
The aerial bombardment continued as the visitors managed to haul themselves just after the hour mark when Darragh Power smashed home from close range following another Baggley cross that wasn’t dealt with, although Chorazka did his best getting a hand on the strike.
A quite incredible turnaround was complete when the Bohs defence again failed to deal with a ball into the area, half clearing for Parsons to control on the edge of the box and tee up Glenfield who hit a sumptuous strike that arrowed into the bottom corner to send their travelling support in the Mono Stand berserk.
But the drama wasn't finished just there when in the 96th minute, and with nearly the last kick of the game, Bohs were gifted a massive chance to salvage a point from the depths of despair when James Clarke was brought down as he bundled into the area from the left wing.
The usually assured Dayle Rooney took responsibility from 12-yards but unfortunately for the Ballymun man saw his penalty come crashing off the crossbar and away to safety as a bellowing of boo’s greeted Damien MacGraith’s final whistle.
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Liam Smith, Martin Miller (Jevon Mills, 60’), Cian Byrne, Paddy Kirk (Filip Piszczek, 84’); Dale Rooney, Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell (James Clarke, 84’), Danny Grant (Declan McDaid, 80’); Ross Tierney, James Akintunde (Alex Greive, 84’)
Waterford: Louis Jones; Darragh Power (Shane Flynn, 81’), Kacper Radkowski, Grant Horton, Ryan Burke; Barry Baggley (Dean McMenamy, 81’), Christie Pattison, Samuel Glenfield, Rowan McDonald (Ben McCormack, 90+3’; Connor Parsons (Darragh Leahy, 90’), Padraig Amond
Referee: Damien MacGraith
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