SAVED BY THE KELL’
GEORGIE KELLY’S injury-time penalty last night secured a vital point for Bohemians 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 dribbled over the line for his 23rd goal of a remarkable campaign.
It was a controversial late call, as Coote turned and bounced off Cleary, much like Kelly had done earlier in the second-half only for ref MacGraith to wave away his appeal.
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 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.
Change
Dundalk started the game without a recognised right-back — with midfielder Greg Sloggett filling in — and with two goalkeepers on the bench.
Vinny Perth did have to make one earlier-than-expected change, when striker Patrick Hoban was replaced by
David McMillan.
Hoban walked gingerly towards the dressing room area, having earlier been involved in a collision with Bohs net-minder James Talbot, as they both chased a poor Tyreke Wilson header back towards Talbot.
MacGraith could 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-yearold met the bouncing ball with Bohs defenders retreating towards the line.
But Ben Amar kept his cool to finish in style.
Hoban, meanwhile, was too hurt from the collision to join in the goal celebrations — and he eventually succumbed to his injury in first-half stoppage time.
Wilson’s error in the build-up to Dundalk’s opener compounded the feeling that this wouldn’t be the hosts’ night.
Glorious
They had missed chances before Ben Amar’s opener and spurned opportunities afterwards too, while Dundalk sub McMillan spurned a glorious chance to seal the win when he blazed over from 10 yards.
Kelly too was uncharacteristically 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.