Shamrock Rovers moved ahead of Bohemians at the top of the Premier Division table thanks to a late Padraig Amond strike at Tallaght Stadium.
Amond’s goal after Sean O’Connor’s free came in the 80th minute of a pulsating battle of the top two.
Bohs could have drawn level from the penalty spot on 87 minutes after Pat Sullivan took down Glen Crowe but Jason Byrne smashed the ball high over the bar.
It’s advantage Rovers now with a two-point lead and just six games to go.
The original Battle of Tallaght took place in 1867 when a Fenian rising occurred at the site of the old police barracks, just a goal kick away from the new Tallaght Stadium stands.
This League of Ireland struggle didn’t have so much at stake as on that night over 140 years ago but did enough to take its place in the annals of Tallaght history.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant Liam Brady was among the 6,000 people in attendance.
When he next speaks to his boss he may just pass on the names of one or two players who impressed. One of those names must surely be Conor Powell who had yet another excellent night for Bohs.
Attacking the Square end of the ground, Bohs gave Rovers an early scare when Mark Rossiter threaded a low cross from the right wing into the area.
Paddy Madden was rushing in but the slipping Craig Sives managed to guide the ball back to goalkeeper Alan Mannus.
Bohs had a chance again on 13 minutes when Paul Keegan took a free kick from about 35 yards out after a foul on Joseph Ndo.
However, the free cleared the packed goalmouth and Owen Heary on the right of the box couldn’t keep the ball active.
It wasn’t all Bohs though as Rovers had their opportunities too but hotshot Gary Twigg could only send his first real chance of the night, on 16 minutes, wide of Brian Murphy’s left-hand post.
Twigg was really getting stuck in, chasing everything that came his way and getting into position in anticipation of the ball coming.
The early excitement soon died down and the sides went in scoreless.
The second period started at much the same pace as the first had and Murphy did well to save from Shane Robinson after 54 minutes.
Rovers boss Michael O’Neill soon added a bit of spice to the mix by introducing Sean O’Connor for Ross Chisholm on 56 minutes.
O’Neill had to reshuffle again six minutes later when Twigg went off injured with Paddy Kavanagh replacing the Hoops striker.
Bohs boss Pat Fenlon also chose to make a change and with plenty of options on his bench, opted for Glen Crowe in place of Mark Rossiter, who had taken a knock.
Chances for Rovers through Sives, and Bohs’ Ndo and Ken Oman came and went but the deadlock remained unbroken until the 80th minute when Amond pounced for that goal that may prove to be the goal that ultimately leads to the league title going to Tallaght.
Bohs were then awarded a penalty when Sullivan was adjudged to have taken Crowe down in the area on 85 minutes.
Sullivan was yellow carded but Byrne had to wait to take the kick as ref Alan Kelly attended to one of his assistants who appeared to have been struck by an object from the crowd.
Tallaght man Byrne took the kick two minutes later and sent it high over the bar and maybe Bohs’ title chances with it.
Sullivan was then shown a second yellow card and dismissed by ref Alan Kelly after gesturing at the Cork official after the penalty miss.
Shamrock Rovers: 23 Alan Mannus, 19 Pat Sullivan, 5 Aidan Price, 6 Craig Sives, 14 Ollie Cahill; 7 Shane Robinson, 8 Stephen Rice, 10 Stephen Bradley (21 Padraig Amond 77 mins), 15 Ross Chisholm, (11 Shaun O’Connor 56 mins); 9 Gary Twigg, (13 Paddy Kavanagh 62 mins), 22 Graham Barrett.
Subs not used: 1 Barry Murphy, 20 Pat Flynn.
Booked: Sullivan. Sent off: Sullivan.
Bohemians: 1 Brian Murphy; 2 Owen Heary, 3 Conor Powell (14 Neale Fenn 89 mins), 5 Brian Shelley; 6 Ken Oman; 7 Paul Keegan, 11 Mark Rossiter (15 Glen Crowe 66 mins), 8 Joseph Ndo, 4 Glenn Cronin; 9 Paddy Madden, 10 Jason Byrne.
Subs not used: 12 Ryan McEvoy, 16 Sean Byrne, 25 Matt Gregg.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
