Shamrock Rovers produced a dramatic late rally to keep their title hopes alive with a 4-2 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.
With the sides deadlocked at 2-2 in the 85th minute, Gary Twigg showed remarkable composure to control Paddy Kavanagh's cross and slide the ball home for his 23rd goal of what could be a season to remember for the Hoops. The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Dessie Baker lashed home a free-kick to ensure that the title race will go to the final day.
The hosts missed two great chances to establish an early lead as they made inroads on the Rovers left. Shaun Kelly's 8th minute cross was delivered with pace and accuracy but Alex Williams seemed to pull away from the chance with the goal at his mercy.
An even better chance was squandered by the Scottish striker four minutes later. This time it was Ger Rowe who supplied the ammunition with a devilish ball across the six-yard box but Williams could only turn his effort wide of Alan Mannus' post.
Michael O'Neil's title chasers soon warmed to the task. Stephen Rice – scorer of the lone strike in the corresponding fixture in April - signalled their intent with a long range effort that went wide of Peter Cherrie's post in the 22nd minute.
They should have taken the lead front two minutes later. Stephen Bradley's raking pass from deep inside his own half cut the Dundalk back four to ribbons. Shane Robinson hared through on goal but he opted to try and pull the ball back for Padraig Amond, allowing Simon Kelly the chance to knock the ball away.
Bradley then tested Peter Cherrie with a stinging half volley that the Dundalk goalkeeper did well to hold but the inevitable arrived in the 28th minute. Robinson picked up on a loose clearance some 25-yards from goal before guiding a drive inside Cherrie's near post.
Dundalk gradually established a foothold in the game approaching the interval. Kevin McKinley headed over from Chris Turner's cross with their clearest opening on the stroke of half-time but they were fortunate not fall further behind going into the break when Amond nudged the ball past Cherrie from the edge of the penalty area. Luckily for the home side, Nathan Murphy was on hand to clear the danger.
The game was turned on its head five minutes into the second-half. Chris Turner picked the ball up some 30-yards from goal before letting fly with a left foot drive but even he must have been surprised to see the ball past squirm out of Mannus' grasp and into the net.
It set up a pulsating finish to the game with chances coming and going at either end.
Mannus redeemed himself with an excellent save to deny Williams after Murphy's cross had deflected nicely into the striker's path. Michael Daly then headed wide from the influential Turner's corner.
Rovers bounced back and went within inches of retaking the lead when Robinson saw a blisteing drive from 35-yard dip on to the top of the crossbar. Gary Twigg then came alive with an acrobatic effort which looked destined for the bottom corner but Cherrie produced a fantastic save to deny his fellow countryman.
Their title challenge was back on track in the 80th minute when Darragh Maguire bundled home after Graham Barrett's header had come back off the crossbar. However their lead lasted just 60 seconds. Williams raced away to sidestep Aidan Price and find the net from close range.
It looked very much like advantage Bohemians in the title race but when the chips were down, Twigg once again came up trumps.
Dundalk: 20 Peter Cherrie; 2 Shaun Kelly, 5 Liam Burns, 6 Thomas Heary (captain) (19 Simon Kelly, 21 mins), 17 Nathan Murphy (Darren Mansaram, 74 mins); 3 Kevin McKinlay, 16 Michael Daly, 8 Chris Turner, 11 Michael McGowan; 10 Alex Williams, 18 Ger Rowe.
Subs not used: 7 Tiarnán Mulvenna, 14 Paul McAreavey, 1 Chris Bennion.
Booked: McKinley, 31 mins, Turner, 60 mins, McGowan, 63 mins, Liam Burns, 89 mins.
Sent-off: none.
Shamrock Rovers: 23 Alan Mannus; 19 Pat Sullivan, 4 Darragh Maguire, 5 Aidan Price, 14 Ollie Cahill; 10 Stephen Bradley (13 Paddy Kavanagh, 65 mins), 7 Shane Robinson (captain); 8 Stephen Rice, 11 Sean O'Connor (Graham Barrett, 73 mins); 9 Gary Twigg, 21 Padraig Amond ( 18 Dessie Baker, 83 mins).
Subs not used: 24 Ross Chisholm, 1 Barry Murphy.
Booked: Shane Robinson, 34 mins, Padraig Amond, 51 mins, Aidan Price, 79 mins.
Sent-off: none.
Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).
