Jittery Bohemians are into the third round of the FAI Cup after an unspectacular 3-1 FAI Carlsberg Cup win over non-league Waterford Crystal at Dalymount Park.
The opening chance of the match was created by Bohemians Des Byrne in the tenth minute, he threaded the ball through to Vinny Arkins who swivelled to fire in a low drive which was blocked by a couple of Crystal defenders.
Less than a minute later Byrne raced in from the left wing and won a free kick -John Paul Kelly drove the resultant set-piece narrowly wide.
On sixteen minutes Byrne went agonisingly close to breaking the stalemate with a 20 yard effort, before Waterford Crystal seized the lead with their first attack of the match.
With twenty two minutes gone former Kilkenny City player and current Deaflympic international Joe Watson gathered the ball wide on the left and he ambled forward.
Watson's blinding run took him deep into the Bohemians defence and, with the chasing Gypsies defence expecting him to pass, he instead elected to poke the ball low and hard to the net.
Trailing by a goal Bohemians Kevin Hunt came on in place of Mark O'Brien, and the introduction of the Dalymount fan favourite proved to be an inspirational ploy.
Nine minutes before the interval Bohemians John Paul Kelly was adjudged to have been upended by Paul Wyse, and Vinny Arkins sent Derek Hearne the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Crystal, still fuming from the concession of a hotly disputed penalty, were dealt a second blow on 38 minutes when Stephen Ward converted a Dessie Byrne cross.
After half time substitute Keith Ryan went close as did John Paul Kelly before Paul Dunphy converted a Ryan cross with five minutes left.
