Dundalk draw at Dalymount

Dundalk FC missed the opportunity to close the gap on Bohemians at the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table as both sides played out a 1-1 draw.

A point apiece did little for either team, with The Lilywhites’ lead over Drogheda United at the bottom cut to three points after they beat Waterford 2-0 on the same night.

Things could have been worse for Dundalk, though, after Ross Tierney gave Bohs a first-half lead, but Daryl Horgan’s fourth goal of the season earned a point for the visitors.

Felix Goddard had to make himself big in the Dundalk goal after just five minutes to deny Tierney after the Bohs playmaker got on the end of a Leigh Kavanagh long ball.

Mayowa Animasahun, yellow-carded early on, was perhaps fortunate to not concede a penalty in the aftermath of that chance after Tierney went down under his challenge.

Danny Grant later picked out Alex Greive on the edge of the danger area, but Dundalk goalkeeper Goddard was on hand to keep out the New Zealand international’s effort.

Goddard had to save again just moments later from the lively Tierney, but the Bohs attacking-midfielder did give the hosts what was a deserved lead on the 18-minute mark.

That goal came when Dayle Rooney’s cross was turned home inside the box by Tierney to put Bohs 1-0 ahead, even though a despairing Goddard had got a hand to his attempt.

The Lilywhites levelled matters on 27 minutes, however, when Jamie Gullan left Kavanagh for dead on the right before his pull-back was cleared by Greive, but only straight into the path of Horgan, whose calm finish inside the area made it 1-1.

Bohs sought to regain their advantage following that concession, with Martin Miller firing inches wide following what was a neat exchange between the Estonian and Greive.

Dundalk’s best opening before the end of the first half came through Ryan O’Kane, who cut inside two Bohs adversaries before his angled attempt found the side-netting.

The hosts came ever so close to going back in front four minutes before the interval when Tierney found himself in space before crashing off the post with Goddard well beaten.

An uneventful second half didn’t come to life until the 70th minute when Grant flashed wide of the mark, with Bohs having a penalty appeal waved away soon after, as Tierney went down inside the area under the challenge of Dundalk skipper John Mountney.

Tierney’s corner from the left was eventually headed harmlessly into the arms of Goddard by Paddy Kirk, but it would be the visitors that would finish the stronger.

Jad Hakiki fired off target after being found by fellow substitute Robbie Mahon, who himself burst through four minutes from time before being foiled by Kacper Chorazka.

The resultant corner, taken by Horgan on the right, was headed off target by Eoin Kenny, while Hakiki had another attempt late on – this time a volley that flew wide of the mark.

Neither team could force a winner throughout nine minutes of stoppage-time, however, as Kenny fired a last-gasp effort from distance marginally wide of the intended target.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Martin Miller (Liam Smith 79), Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh, Paddy Kirk; Jordan Flores, Adam McDonnell (James Clarke 66); Dayle Rooney, Ross Tierney, Danny Grant (Declan McDaid 79); Alex Greive (James Akintunde 66).

Subs not used: James Talbot (gk), Filip Piszczek, Brian McManus, Archie Meekison, Jevon Mills.

Dundalk FC: Felix Goddard; John Mountney, Mayowa Animasahun, Bobby Faulkner, Dan Pike; Aodh Dervin, Scott McGill (Jad Hakiki 57); Daryl Horgan, Robbie Benson, Ryan O’Kane (Robbie Mahon 75); Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 83).

Subs not used: Ross Munro (gk), Koen Oostenbrink, Josh O’Connor, Luke Mulligan, Sean Keogh, Hayden Cann.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary).

Attendance: 4,239.