Bohemians have earned themselves a Champions League showdown with top Swedish side Halmstad BK following their storm interrupted 0-0 draw in Estonia this evening. Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at Dalymount Park last week, Pete Mahon's men put up a resilient performance against Levadia Maardu to emerge unscathed from what was a tense encounter in the wake of much criticism from the Estonians surrounding the first leg.
Wayne Russell was the hero for Bohs tonight with two crucial saves, while former Shelbourne defender Avery John will be satisfied with his performances with some telling tackles. Alex Nesovic came close to scoring with Bohs' first attack of note in the ninth minute, but his well struck effort was scrambled off the line. Paul Byrne and last season's top scorer Glenn Crowe both went close to scoring during a tight first half, were denied by the Estonian 'keeper.
Levadia failed to test Russell until the 23rd minute, when an uncharacteristic mistake by Shaun Maher let striker Vladimir Tselnokov through on goal, but Russell was equal to his angled shot. Toomas Krom went close on three occasions but again Russell came out best, but The Gypsies were much improved after the interval.
Crowe was inches wide with a header just five minutes into the second-half, as Bohs began to assert themselves as they did in the first leg. However, with the full-time whistle looking and a place in the second qualifying round on the horizon, play was suspended because of a thunder storm seven minutes from time. That failed to distract the Irish champions, who played out the final minutes to secure a deserved clash with Halmstad next Wednesday.
Filed by Shane Murray
