Stoppage time heartbreak for Derry City at Dalymount

BOHEMIANS struck twice deep into second half stoppage time to break Derry City hearts at Dalymount Park and keep alive their slim title hopes.

James Akintunde looked as if he had reignited Derry's season with a sublime second minute strike which looked to have sent the Candy Stripes into fifth spot.

The striker raced onto the impressive Walter Figueria's through-ball before deftly sending his shot over the head of James Talbot and into the net for his third goal of the season.

That quickfire goal was Derry's first in the league since the 3-1 win over Cork at Brandywell on August 21st. However, Declan Devine's troops were dealt a huge blow when Bohs substitute, Ross Tierney was brought down for a penalty on 92 minutes.

Up stepped former City midfielder, Keith Ward who beat Peter Cherrie from the spot.

And from a free-kick Derry failed to clear their lines in a crowded penalty area and striker, Andre Wright pounced to send the ball into the corner for an unlikely winner for the Gypsies.

It was Bohs first win over Derry at Dalymount since July 2015 but the Candy Stripes deserved more with Eoin Toal's close range header from a corner looking like it had crossed the line before being cleared by sub, Ross Tierney.

Devine made three changes from the team which was held by St Pats at the Brandywell last Friday with Adam Hammill, Walter Figueira and Jack Malone all returning to the starting line-up.

Ibrahim Meite and Ciaron Harkin dropped to the bench while Stephen Mallon, who scored in the 2-0 win over the Gypsies back in February, missed out through injury.

Derry hadn't scored in the league since the 3-1 home win over Cork back in late August but they quickly rediscovered their goalscoring touch in emphatic fashion.

With two minutes on the clock, Figueria carved open the Bohs defence with a deft pass through the middle and with just the keeper to beat, Akintunde applied a stunning finish which hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling into the net.

Derry were on the frontfoot and when Akintunde beat his man on the edge of the penalty area he pulled the ball back towards Hammill on the six yard box but the Liverpudlian couldn't react in time and the ball squirmed into the hands of Talbot.

Dawson Devoy's venomous free-kick from wide on the left was punched clear by Peter Cherrie on 19 minutes as Bohs began to apply a bit of pressure.

Derry were almost punished for a lapse in concentration on 21 minutes.

Jake Dunwoody was dispossessed in a dangerous area by Conor Levingston after picking up a pass from Cherrie.

However, the Derry keeper recovered when getting down to save low from Andre Wright's angled strike from distance.

A moment of brilliance from Devoy almost fashioned the equaliser from the edge of the box on 28 minutes.

The talented 19 year-old dropped his shoulder to leave Dunwoody in his wake before side-stepping Conor McCormack. The Bohs midfielder then attempted an audacious chip which shaved the upright.

Hammill fired an ambitious free-kick from 30 yards narrowly over the crossbar in an attempt to catch Talbot who was expecting a cross.

Akintunde then sent a low shot across the face of goal and wide of the target from 16 yards when he had options in the box.

Nevertheless Devine will have been delighted with his side's first half showing as they went in protecting a slender 1-0 lead.

Bohemians had requested to change their kit from blue to white claiming a clash with Derry's black away strip but referee Ben Connolly overruled them.

Derry started the second half brightly and Figueria almost found a way through the Bohs defence after a one-two with Akintunde but when he got past Andy Lyons his shot across the face of goal was cleared by Anto Breslin.

From Hamill's free-kick on 77 minutes Toal's towering header from close range under pressure from Talbot was cleared off the line by Bohs sub, Ross Tierney.

Hammill went on a jinking run towards the Bohs penalty area before sending his looping effort over the crossbar with eight minutes left on the clock.

Bohs substitute, Keith Ward shaved the left hand post with a superb free-kick from the edge of the box after Conor McCormack was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Bohs pressed for the equaliser and when Dunwoody tripped Tierney inside he box the referee pointed to the spot.

Sub, Ward stepped up and blasted into the net for the equaliser.

From a free-kick wide on the right, Derry failed to clear the danger and Wright pounced for a smash and grab win for the Dubliners.

Bohemians: J. Talbot: A. Lyons, D. Casey, R. Cornwall, A. Breslin; P. Omochere, K. Buckley (D. Corcoran 79), C. Levingston (R. Tierney 62), D. Grant (K. Ward 72); D. Devoy; A. Wright; Subs Not Used - S. McGuinness, C. Kelly, JJ Lunney, G. McAuley.

Derry City: P. Cherrie; D. Cole (D. Horgan 78), E. Toal, C. McJannett, C. Coll; A. Hammill, C. McCormack, J. Dunwoody, J. Malone (C. Harkin 78); W. Figueira; J. Akintunde (I Meite 87); Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, R. Boyce, C. Clifford, M. McChrystal.

Referee - Ben Connolly (Dublin).