Seán Grehan was the two-goal second-half hero as Bohemians came back to defeat Galway United 2-1 at a sun-swept Eamonn Deacy Park.
In the opening stages of proceedings, Patrick Hickey had the first sight of goal, but he could not manufacture any meaningful contact on his effort, before, at the other end of the pitch, Brendan Clarke had to be sharp to keep out Dawson Devoy's long-range shot.
Shortly after, Hickey found space in the box once again as he cannoned a close-range volley goal-bound, only for a white jersey to deflect the effort away from the net.
United attacker Cillian Tollett, who made his first competitive start in a maroon jersey, applied himself well in his 45-minute cameo, while the in-form Moses Dyer was a handful for the Bohemians defence.
Halfway through the first period, the Tribesmen went very close to taking the lead when David Hurley tested Kacper Chorazka from a tight angle, but the Polish shot-stopper did just enough to send it behind for a corner.
Alan Reynolds’ team, who were defeated by Waterford last time out, produced some slick play in attack, but the end product was lacking at times to truly create a clear-cut opening in the first 45 minutes.
Jeannot Esua was next to hit the target, as Chorazka was well placed, while Robert Slevin could not get enough purchase on a lobbed effort a few minutes later.
Just before the break, Slevin, who made his 80th United appearance, became the provider this time around as his cross was superbly met by Dyer to give John Caulfield’s side the lead in the 43rd minute.
The New Zealand striker demonstrated sharpness to get himself in the right place at the right time to make a sufficient connection on his volley to net his eighth goal of the campaign, and his third of the season against Bohs.
In the early stages of the second half, Chorazka was quick off his line to stop Dyer scoring his second, while United keeper Brendan Clarke had to be just as sharp to deny Bohs’ James Clarke after some neat build-up play by the away outfit.
Bohemians continued to push for the equaliser as the momentum started to sway towards Bohs.
Brendan Clarke was forced into producing a stretched one-handed save to prevent a certain own goal, before the United number one had to palm Jordan Flores' effort over the bar in the following play.
The pressure paid off with half an hour to go in the game.
Devoy set up Dayle Rooney down the right, who dinked the ball to the back post, which was emphatically met by the head of Grehan to send the ball past Brendan Clarke and bring the sides level in the 59th minute.
Following the equaliser, both teams went for a winner - Bohs’ James Clarke hit the top of the crossbar with a fine swerved effort, while Hickey almost bundled home at the other end, but the ball just about stayed out.
In the last 15 minutes, Dyer tested Chorazka with a volley, while Stephen Walsh had to be brave to block a Colm Whelan strike. Rooney also went close in added time.
The winner arrived in the 97th minute. Grehan met Rooney’s left-footed delivery to glance a header into the bottom corner to send the Bohs fans into jubilation and earn his team a crucial three points away from home.
Galway United: Clarke; Slevin, Brouder, Dyer, Hurley; Hickey, Burns (Donelon 65), Horgan (Kerrigan 65), McCormack, Tollett (Walsh 45); Esua.
Bohemians: Chorazka; Morahan, Flores (Buckley 70), Rooney, Devoy; McManus (Whelan 65), Clarke, McDonnell, Mountney (Cornwall 45), Tierney (Brennan 83); Grehan.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
