Shelbourne leave it late to secure fourth consecutive win to top the table

BOHEMIANS…0 

SHELBOURNE…2 (Will Jarvis pen 80, Gavin Molloy 85) 

Onwards and upwards the Damien Duff revolution of Shelbourne propels from Premier Division newcomers to title challengers.

This victory – secured by two goals in the final 10 minutes – was their fourth on the spin and the third recorded with a clean sheet.

An FAI Cup final in his first season was bettered by European qualification in his second and now they inhabit the summit, two points ahead of Derry City.

They’ve already overcome five-in-a-row chasing Shamrock Rovers on their run to the top.

What’s certain is that the Ireland legend at the helm won’t curb their ambition.

Bohemians, on the other hand, are experiencing the other side of the game’s fortunes; their malaise since the FAI Cup final in November deepening.

Anxiety in the stands was reflected by a bout of booing at full-time.

Inconsistency of selection has dogged Bohemians since Declan Devine arrived at the club.

That’s been due to a few of their marquee signings failing to deliver when it mattered but there’s a general sense, not unique to his case, of still settling on his best team.

Monday’s defeat at Drogheda United certainly provided insight to the boss, for he culled four of his starters.

Sten Reinkort was part of an Estonian influx during the off-season, the striker arriving with a reputation for being a targetman with armoury to boot, but it went downhill after marking his debut with a goal.

He was hauled off at the break at Drogheda and relegated to the bench here, allowing another of their imports, Filip Piszczek, get his chance to assume that role up front.

They would swap places with 15 minutes but to no avail, unlike a similar switch for Shels which led to Sean Boyd