Bohemians missed the chance of joining Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Premier Division table when they shared the points with champions St Patrick's Athletic at Tolka Park last night.

It did at least improve their losing record in the Dublin derbies so far this season while St Patrick's still remain lodged mid-table as they now only have two wins in seven starts.

It was unfortunate that a game which promised much and deserved more failed to ignite, and the sending off of Bohemians substitute Graham Lawlor concluded the affair with a slightly bitter taste.

Neither side were helped by the conditions that rarely allowed a clean touch.

Bohemians' Derek Swan and Kevin Hunt saw the first of the action around the goalmouth and Paul Byrne displayed typical initiative around the middle of the field. But he squandered one of their better chances by firing over the bar on 20 minutes. Newcomer Austin Higgins made a better effort when forcing a save out of Trevor Wood five minutes later.

Martin Russell created the first real chance for the champions at a similar stage but otherwise it was Packie Lynch and Colin Hawkins who had the greater responsibility in keeping things tidy in front of goal. Hawkins later stepped up for a searching header that was the most dangerous of all and Bohemians then saw Glen Crowe fire across the goal just before the end.

As the rain eased off, St Patrick's came out more organised and ambitious after the break, finding another gear that for a 15-minute spell had Bohemians under their first real pressure. Wayne Russell was becoming increasingly active even if the danger was never all that threatening. Avery John kept things rolling at the other end with some penetrating runs.

Keith Doyle forced another important save from Russell but Trevor Molloy could have made better use of his opening instead of shooting straight at the keeper.

There was no let up from either side heading into the final quarter of an hour. Crowe made full use of every break that was sent his way and was unlucky on three successive occasions not to get closer to his target. Unfortunately for Bohemians, they then lost substitute Lawlor on the 77 minute mark when he was sent off by Dublin referee Gerry Perry for a late tackle on Packie Lynch.

Still, that incident was hardly worth singling out as St Patrick's weren't exactly playing a cautious game either. Paul Osam and Paul Donnelly were both booked in the closing minutes as frustration set into the pattern at both ends. A late effort by Marcus Hallows concluded the chances for St Patrick's and leaves manager Liam Buckley with a few more anxious games ahead if they are to move up the table.

Bohemians: Russell; Caffrey, John, Hunt, Maher; Mullen, Byrne, Huggins, Swan; Crowe, Dempsey. Subs: Harris for Swan (55 mins), Lawlor for Huggins (64 mins).

St Partick's Athletic: Wood; Lynch, Broughan, Hawkins, Donnelly, Osam; Doyle, Morgan, Russell; McNevin, Molloy. Subs: Hallows for Molloy (83 mins).

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).