Cobh Ramblers are all but mathematically relegated to the First Division after two late goals from Bohemians substitute Mindaugas Kolanas gave the champions a deserved win at St Colman’s Park.
Cobh had survived a number of close calls before Bohemians scored with five minutes left, when Kolanas shot low past goalkeeper Anthony Fennelly.
And the substitute scored his second in the last minute, following a mistake from the goalkeeper, the striker rolled the ball into an empty net.
Cobh started this game three points behind Galway United in the relegation battle, and two behind Finn Harps, so they needed a good result, as a defeat would leave only an outside mathematical chance of avoiding relegation.
Champions Bohemians, who are looking forward to the Ford FAI Cup final meeting with Derry City at the RDS in two weeks' time, received the bad news yesterday that their proposed sale of Dalymount Park to developer Liam Carroll was stopped in the High Court.
The game was played on a bitterly cold night in front of a crowd of about 1,500 spectators.
But there was not too much action to excite the crowd in a close and tight first 45 minutes, which saw one yellow card shown to Bohemians Killian Brennan on the stroke of half-time for a foul on Ramblers captain Alan Carey.
The home skipper was assisted to the dressing room and was unable to continue, with his place on the right side of midfield being taken by substitute Michael O'Shea.
Bohemians threatened to score early in the second half when they created three chances in quick succession, but they found goalkeeper Fennelly in top form.
He first dived to touch behind a close range effort from Neale Fenn, minutes later he saved a Gary Deegan shot from the edge of the penalty area, and after his centre-back Kevin Murray took a Liam Burns effort off the goal line, Fennelly made a point blank block to deny Jason Byrne.
Pat Fenlon's side were now well on top and it looked as if a goal would eventually come, Fenn found space in the penalty area, but a brilliant tackle from Shane Guthrie saved the home side.
But the goals eventually came, with Kalonas hitting the target twice in the final five minutes to all but send Ramblers back to the First Division after just one season in the top flight.
Cobh: Fennelly; Coleman, Murray, Guthrie, J Meade; Carey (M O’Shea HT), O'Halloran, J Kearney, Mulconry; Gaynor, O'Neill.
Bohemians: Murphy; O Heary, Burns, Oman, Powell; McGill, Cronin, Deegan, Brennan (Kalonas 68); Fenn (Madden 77), Byrne.
Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).
