Bohemians manager Declan Devine expressed his frustration at a controversial non-penalty call as his side were beaten 2-0 by bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers in their Dublin derby, but admitted the Gypsies paid the price for their own shortcomings.
Bohs already trailed to Trevor Clarke's opener when Jonathan Afolabi was felled by Dan Cleary in the 76th minute, with referee Rob Hennessy opting against awarding the spot-kick and booking Afolabi in the aftermath.
Substitute Rory Gaffney went on to ensure the victory for the home side, with Bohemians lead at the top of the table down to a solitary point.
"It was a definite penalty, but we haven't got a decision all night," Devine told RTÉ Sport.
"I said it last week – I'm not here to have a go at referees – it's a blatant penalty, it has to be given and it's a turning point in the game.
"We haven't lost because of that tonight. We've lost because we haven't defended our box twice and we didn't take the chances we were presented with."
Bohs manager Declan Devine was disappointed to be denied a 'blatant penalty' but admitted his side were beaten as they weren’t good enough at either end of the pitch pic.twitter.com/qwMNS6Vd1o
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 5, 2023
Devine added: "Our players have been fantastic over the opening 13-14 games this season.
"We're really disappointed coming to Tallaght and losing. This team is a team of champions and they've been together a long time. We've been together less than 20 weeks. It shows the mentality within this group that we don't feel like we're ever beaten and we think can take anybody on in a game.
"But we'll be hurting tonight because we've lost a Dublin derby."
Devine's opposite number Stephen Bradley had no comment on the Afolabi incident without the benefit of a replay, but said of the victory: "They're obviously ahead of us in the table and when you play your rivals you always want to win, so it's an important win."
'The league isn't finished in May, it’s finished in November’ – Rovers manager Stephen Bradly was never concerned with his team’s sluggish start to the season as they move within a point of leaders Bohemians pic.twitter.com/RDXPJBtS6J
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 5, 2023
After a slow start to the season, the defending champions are now the side with momentum, not that Bradly ever panicked.
"We're quite comfortable where we were and where we are," he said.
"I think near the break last year we were 12 points behind Derry. The year before, we were nine behind Sligo.
"We understand what it takes to win a league.
"We've been there, we know what it's about. It's not finished in May, it's finished in November and and we'll just stay focused and keep trying to perform."
