Ken Oman was the hero as Bohemians to a 2-0 victory over St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park on Tuesday evening.

 

With twenty-four games now played in the Premier Division, Bohs have opened up a six-point lead at the top and are unbeaten in their last five league games.

 

Oman twice found space inside the opposition's penalty area when up for a corner kick and powered in headed goals that proved to be the difference in this Dublin derby.

 

Alan Cawley and Glen Fitzpatrick replaced the suspended duo of Gareth O'Connor and Declan O'Brien in the Saints line-up, while Glen Crowe was selected ahead of Neale Fenn for the visitors.

 

There wasn't much between the teams and for long periods both sides surrendered possession far too easily, but there were a few half chances to keep the crowd entertained.

 

David Partridge came close for St Pat's when he headed over from an Alan Cawley corner and Oman should have done better after he failed to keep his shot down.

 

The Bohs defender made amends for that miss on 28 minutes when he climbed highest to head in a Brian Shelley cross after staying up for a corner kick.

 

Jeff Kenna's men kept sweeping forward in search of an equalisier and had pulses racing when Bobby Ryan and Ryan Guy came close with efforts on the edge of the box.

 

After the break, it was more of the same as both sides threatened - Crowe for Bohs and Damian Lynch for St Pat's - but neither team were able to take control of the game.

 

A change was definitely needed and Kenna was first to react by bringing both Mark Quigley and Gary Dempsey on as part of a double substitution.

 

Within seconds of coming onto the pitch Dempsey flicked the ball inside to Quigley, but the popular striker couldn't keep his shot down.

 

The former Millwall man then forced keeper Brian Murphy into a smart save when he pounced on a deflected shot from Enda Stevens and won a corner that the hosts didn't use to their advantage.

 

However, Bohs were never going to just sit back and Oman made sure of the win on 70 minutes when he scored his second header following a crisp delivery from Joseph Ndo.

 

St Patrick's Athletic: Rogers, Gavin, Harris, Partridge, B Ryan, Lynch, Byrne (Quigley 62), Cawley (Dempsey 62), Guy, Fitzpatrick (Leech 76).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Clarke, D Ryan.

 

Bohemians: Murphy, Rossiter, Shelley, Oman, Powell, Brennan (Cronin 88), Deegan, Keegan, Ndo, Crowe (Madden 70), Byrne.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Gregg, Heary, Fenn.

 

Referee: Damien Hancock