Patrick Hickey decided a poor game to claim three points for Bohemians with Galway United sickened by a player who left only mere months ago for the second game in succession.
Bohemians' winning run seemed set to run aground in the Phibsboro chill and they failed to create a single clear opportunity against doughty Galway until the gigantic American headed home from a fine Markuss Strods cross three minutes from time.
Just like their most recent visit to Dublin when visiting St Pat's, United conceded at the death in a game devoid of chances, but this time they all but equalised in injury time.
Manager John Caulfield will be gutted, while opposite number Alan Reynolds can reflect on the fact that Hickey was bought partly to decide games as tight as this.
This was a thoroughly awful spectacle in the main but further evidence that United will match most sides this term. Defensively they have been excellent and Bohs looked clueless as to what to do – but they found a way to win.
The first half was desperate stuff. United showed almost nothing; the Gypsies had to be patient, especially their fans. Nice Bohs play was chiefly a product of a lovely pass wide from Hickey on four minutes, with Ross Tierney managing a bit of space but unable to trouble Evan Watts.
United did not aggressively press Bohs unless they encroached into their half, such that Dawson Devoy was not hounded when in possession. Still, the chatter and hum of the crowd was testament to how boring the fare was.
United had pace on the break and Francely Lomboto nearly got Jimmy Keohane in 25 minutes in.
Excellent refereeing from Daniel Murphy saw Devoy booked for a foul just before half-time on Aaron Bolger; from the resulting free-kick Bolger found the shopping centre rather than the net; it was that sort of half.
United began the second half with some intent – they too surely had more to offer offensively – and Ed McCarthy at least worked Kacper Chorazka five minutes in. At the other end, a Devoy free-kick forced a parry from Welsh stopper Evan Watts; finally the crowd was energized.
Bobby Burns broke United's resistance last week and another player who left in the off-season, Hickey, almost put Bohs ahead from the corner, but Watts tipped over.
By far United's best chance came on 57 minutes. Killian Brouder won the ball back, Bolger – who was exceptional – played it quickly to McCarthy and his pass was inviting for Keohane; he failed to properly connect at the back post.
As Bohs fans booed Ed McCarthy, as he smiled, before a long throw on 76 minutes, big Gianfranco Facchineri headed on and former Bohemian Kris Twardek seemed sure to head home but Chorazka got down to save.
It is hard to know how you can defend the goal Bohs scored. Bolger will regret that he had the last touch as the ball dribbled out from a corner; the promising Strods nailed his delivery; and Hickey is so strong and tall, United could not stop his header, which gave Watts little chance.
Matty Wolfe missed a sitter for United at the death. On the six-yard-box, the substitute snatched at a near-open goal chance. Bohs were blessed.
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Niall Morahan (Darragh Power 60), Senan Mullen, Pat Hickey, Sam Todd; Adam McDonnell (Jordan Flores 60), Dawson Devoy; Harry Vaughan (Zane Myers 60), Ross Tierney (Hugh Martin 80), Connor Parsons (Markuss Strods 70); Colm Whelan.
Galway United: Evan Watts; Arthur Parker (Matty Wolfe 90), Gianfranco Facchineri, Killian Brouder (Wasiri Williams 76), Al Amin Kazeem (Stephen Walsh 62); Ed McCarthy, Jimmy Keohane (Frantz Pierrot 90), Aaron Bolger, David Hurley, Lee Devitt; Francely Lomboto (Kris Twardek 62).
