Declan McDaid scored at the death to ensure Bohemians didn't start the Declan Devine era with a loss.
Second-half goals from Ethan Boyle and Filip Mihaljevic had Finn Harps ahead going into the 90th minute, however, McDaid sprinted through the rain to capitalise on a goalkeeping error and salvage a late draw.
The result means Ollie Horgan’s side drop to the floor of the table, following UCD’s 2-1 win at home to Drogheda this evening.
Bohs fans had a rare bit of good news this week when it was announced that Keith Buckley would return to the club as captain for next year, however, despite an energetic performance they still witnessed few signs of progress tonight.
Devine made two changes to the side that limped to defeat against St Patrick’s last week, reintroducing Josh Kerr and Jordan Flores to the starting eleven.
Match Details
Lively from the off, Bohs played the vast majority of the opening period within their opponent’s half.
However, for all their territorial advantage, Bohs’ efforts in the box were thwarted by a disciplined Harps defence.
Conor Tourish stopped a near-certain Bohemians goal on 12 minutes.
A quick Rory Feely throw-in opened up space for Conor Levingston, who set up Ethon Varian to shoot from eight yards – but Tourish was on hand to make a last-ditch block and keep the scores level.
Starting as a right-back on this occasion, Feely combined well with Kris Twardek as both players launched a series of crosses from the right-wing.
And Tourish again came to the rescue midway through the half, when he headed Levingston’s effort off the line following another Twardek delivery.
Bohs had a goal disallowed 10 minutes later. It was Levingston who converted just inside the box, however, referee Ben Connolly was right to judge that Varian had committed a foul moments earlier.
And Harps should have gone into the break ahead when they were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute.
Mihaljevic charged into the box, before Feely clumsily bundled him over during a rare attack from Ollie Horgan’s men. However, the Croatian couldn’t convert from the spot, as Tadgh Ryan correctly dove to his right.
The Gypsies maintained their shape into the second half, as the ball was again directed wide to Feely and Twardek.
And it was Feely’s low cross that created the opening goal of the game. Flores stroked the ball wide to the 25-year-old and his delivery was fired home by Varian just inside the six-yard box.
Bohemians deserved their lead, but rarely showed the composure required to push on.
Harps, for their part, never gave up and soon turned the game on its head.
Former Shamrock Rovers man Ethan Boyle headed home a Barry McNamee cross with fifteen minutes to go, before Mihaljevic capitalised on Ciaran Kelly’s hesitation to charge through and slot the ball past Ryan.
Bohs, once again, had defensive errors to blame for their demise.
Desperate to avoid defeat in his first home match, Devine sent Feely to play up front, but it was his substitute Mullins who set up McDaid to be the hero.
Harps goalkeeper Jamie McKeown rushed out to clear Mullins’ floated long-ball but missed his clearance, allowing McDaid to run through and pass the ball into an empty net.
Bohemians: Tadgh Ryan; Max Murphy (Jordan Doherty, 85), Ciaran Kelly, Josh Kerr, Rory Feely; Conor Levingston, Jordan Flores; Kris Twardek, James Clarke, Declan McDaid; Ethon Varian (Jamie Mullins, 80).
Finn Harps: James McKeown; Gary Boylan, Conor Tourish, Rob Slevin, Regan Donelon (Jaime Siaj, 72); Ryan Connolly (Ryan Rainey, 28), Dylan Duncan (Eric McWoods, 65 (Harry Nicolson, 74)), Robert Jones; Gary Boylan, Barry McNamee; Filip Mihaljevic.
Referee: Ben Connolly.
