Declan Devine 'devastated' after costly errors deny Derry City victory

Luck certainly evaded the Candy Stripes in Dublin as Devine's troops appeared in control and on their way to a victory which would've reignited their quest for European football.

James Akintunde's third goal of the season two minutes in gave Derry a strong foothold in the match and Eoin Toal's header was cleared off the line in the second half which would've sealed a well deserved win.

However a penalty decision and poor defending from a free-kick in stoppage time provided two goals for Bohemians which turned the game on its head and handed the Gypsies a first win over Derry at Dalymount since July 2015.

It was a cruel end to the game for Derry who remain in sixth spot, three points behind fifth placed Sligo Rovers who they meet at the Showgrounds on Tuesday night - a game which takes on greater significance now.

Devine was in sombre mood afterwards but insisted his team must quickly get over the heartbreak of the defeat if they're to salvage their season.

"It's just incredible and I find it hard to get words," said the Derry boss. "I'm just devastated we haven't come away with something. Bohemians are very, very fortunate to be coming away with three points tonight but it doesn't ease the pain for us.

"It's sombre in there but we've got to dust ourselves down and make sure we're ready for another tough assignment away to Sligo. There's still football to be played and we have to get over the heartbreak of this very quickly."

Devine felt the officials got some of the key decisions badly wrong on the night claiming Toal's header had crossed the line while he questioned the penalty awarded to Bohs in the 92nd minute when sub, Ross Tierney went down under the challenge of Jake Dunwoody.

"In my opinion it was a really poor night in terms of the decisions made in the game," said Devine. "How the linesman on that side didn't see it (Toal's header), I don't know because it was quite obvious to everyone else in the ground that the ball was over the line.

"You've got to make sure if things aren't going for you, you stand up and be counted and don't give away two goals especially within a minute and a half.

"It's incredible. I have to see the penalty back but my initial reaction was I didn't think it was a penalty. It's just a sucker punch. I'm devastated because I thought we expended a lot of energy in the game. I thought we were comfortable for long periods."

While Bohs certainly had the rub of the green on the night, Devine was critical of his side's decision-making in the final stages of the game.

A soft penalty gave Keith Ward the opportunity to level from the spot on 93 minutes and Adam Hammill's needless foul gave Bohs a free-kick which they capitalised from with virtually the last kick of the game as Andre Wright prodded home the winner.

"We had a couple of chances cleared off the line and the end of the game is cruel but we have to look at ourselves. Number one we can't give away the free kick and number two we've got to defend the cross better.

"I think Bohemians were throwing themselves to the ground all night long and bought a penalty in the end up. I speak to players all the time about how when you get a goal you can get another one very quickly and we were caught with that tonight.

"It's just absolute devastation there to be honest. It was a good performance but we've come away with no points. We've been defending really well of late and I thought for 92 or 93 minutes we defended really well tonight.

"We've got to be mentally stronger and be able to deal with that one ball into the box. On the back of conceding the penalty you can't let your emotions take over and unfortunately they did.

"It's important to manage moments when you feel hard done by. Everyone in there denies it was a penalty and feel the boy threw himself to the ground.

"Ultimately you have to manage these moments in the game and have the experience and know-how to see it out in the end. It's really hard to take but we've got to make sure it's better than that. To lose in the manner we did is absolutely devastating for everyone."

Derry have taken just two points from a possible nine in their last three league games and their next two fixtures against Sligo and Waterford could potentially define their season.

"It's a good thing we're playing again on Tuesday night because we've got to get points on board quickly. We've got to pick up points very quickly. We have to dust ourselves down and get ready for another titanic battle against Sligo."