MACHINE GUN KELLY HAS AMMO FOR LILIES

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BY MARK MCCADDEN GEORGIE KELLY’S injury-time penalty last night secured a vital point for Bohs on a crazy night at Dalymount Park.

Referee Damien Macgraith had initially given a free out after a collision between Bohs winger Ali Coote and Dundalk defender Daniel Cleary on the right-hand-side of the area.

But, after a quick chat with his linesman, he changed his mind and pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Kelly and he squeezed his penalty through the legs of visiting goalkeeper Peter Cherrie - the ball dribbling over the line for his 23rd goal of a remarkable campaign.

Dundalk led through Sami Ben Amar’s 29th minute goal, which was also scored in controversial circumstances.

Had they held out for the win, it would have moved them within five points of third-placed Sligo Rovers - as well as five above the relegation play-off spot.

As it stands, Vinny Perth’s side are just three points ahead of ninth placed Waterford having played an extra match. So both Europe and the drop zone are very much within their sights in this season where just about everything is up for grabs bar first and 10th place.

Perth (above) did have to make one earlier-thanexpected change, when striker Patrick Hoban was replaced by David Mcmillan.

Hoban walked gingerly towards the dressing room area, having earlier been involved in a nasty collision with Bohs keeper James Talbot. Macgraith could easily have awarded a free out, but allowed play to go on and that incident was pivotal to the visitors’ opener.

With both Hoban and Talbot grounded, the stage was set for former Morocco underage international Ben Amar. It was by no means an easy finish, however, as the 23-year-old met the bouncing ball with Bohs defenders retreating towards the line. But Ben Amar kept his cool to finish in style.

Wilson’s error in the build-up to Dundalk’s opener compounded the feeling that this wouldn’t be the hosts’ night.

They had missed chances before Amar’s opener and spurned opportunities afterwards too, while Dundalk sub David Mcmillan wasted a glorious chance to seal the win when he blazed over from 10 yards. Kelly too was off-target when Cherrie spilled Lyons’ long-range shot. The recent Player of the Month winner sent the rebound high and wide. However, Bohs were given a late reprieve when Macgraith consulted with his assistant Darragh Keegan and reversed his decision, allowing Kelly to equalise from the spot.