Bohemians kept up their fine run of form with a 1-0 victory over Cork City in Dalymount Park on Friday evening.

 

Killian Brennan got the only goal of the game to move The Gypsies onto 49 points and maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Premier Division table.

 

The first chance of the game arrived when Joseph Ndo played a superb to Jason Byrne using the outside of his boot and the striker took his time before firing high and wide.

 

Gary Deegan was next to try his luck when the ball feel to his feet on the edge of the Cork penalty area, but he failed to keep his shot down.

 

It was Bohemians that always looked the more likely to break the deadlock with Ndo feeding some dangerous balls into the opposition box - one of which was nearly converted by Byrne when he peeled away from his marker.

 

The champions pieced together some slick passing movements with Paul Keegan working hard in midfield and Brian Shelley storming out of defence to give another option in attack.

 

Cork did well to keep the hosts at bay until just before the hour mark as keeper Dan Connor was rarely tested despite all of the possession that Bohs had.

 

When the goal did arrive on 59 minutes it was under a cloud of mystery as Paul Keegan whipped a free-kick into the visitor's box and it appeared to strike the chest of Brennan before making its way past several bodies on its way into the net.

 

The Leesiders responded by supplying service out to winger Davin O'Neill as often as they could and the ex-Cobh Ramblers man produced some teasing crosses that should have been finished.

 

Cillian Lordan then attempted to bring the scores back level when he rifled an effort from 30 yards at the Bohs goal, but it sailed wide rather than into the top corner.

 

With Paul Doolin encouraging his team to push forward, Joe Gamble fired a volley just over following some good work by Billy Dennehy on the left flank.

 

However, Bohs kept working hard right to the end and did enough to hang on for the three points that could prove crucial in the title race.

 

Bohemians: B Murphy, Rossiter, Shelley, Oman, Powell, Ndo, Keegan, Deegan, Brennan, J Byrne, Fenn (Madden 79).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Gregg, Heary, Cronin, Crowe.

 

Cork City: Connor, Horgan, Murray, O'Halloran, Murphy, Kiely (Gamble 72), Lordan, O'Donnell (Duggan 72), Dennehy, Kuduzovic, Silagilis (O'Neill 55).

 

Substitutes Not Used: McNulty, Long.

 

Referee: D Tomney.