BOHEMIANS stretched their unbeaten run against Finn Harps to 13 games following a drab encounter in Ballybofey that exploded into life in stoppage-time.
Bohs were awarded a 92nd minute penalty but Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher emerged as the hero as he got down to make a smart save. Prior to the game, Harps boss Ollie Horgan had warned his side to beware of Bohs, who went into the game on the back of three defeats on the bounce.
After a tepid start Harps had a real let-off on 18 minutes when Paddy Kavanagh rounded Harps netminder Ciaran Gallagher only to be denied by the retreating Packie Mailey in front of the unprotected goal.
Harps, who deployed Tony McNamee in attack in preference to David Scully alongside Ryan Curran, got little change from the Bohs defence in the first-half. The home side lost Gareth Harkin through injury shortly before the break, and he was replaced by the energetic Michael Funston, who recently played his 300th game for the club, and he set up Damien McNulty to shoot wide of the target in the last move of a poor opening half.
Having spoken in recent weeks about the character in his team, Bohs supremo Keith Long must have been disappointed with his side’s display in the first 45 minutes. But it was Harps who conjured up the first chance in the second half with Adam Hanlon whipping over a decent cross but Ryan Curran’s header was capably dealt with by Dean Delaney.
A minor flurry of goalmouth activity finally sparked off some noise on the Finn Park terraces after an hour but many fans were trying to recall the last match that had been so lifeless. Harps brought on veteran Kevin McHugh and David Scully in a bid to bolster their attack, while Bohs made a double substitution with Kurtis Byrne and Anto Murphy being introduced in the final quarter.
A late free from Jake Kelly for Bohs was blocked, while Harps mounted one late attack which the Dubliners cleared. Bohs then missed the chance to grab victory as Murphy’s 92nd minute penalty was saved.
