Coming into this match Bohemians had drawn seven of their 12 games to date, one of those two-all against Sligo on the opening day of the league, so last night's result at Dalymount Park should not come as a great surprise.

The home side began impressively and took the lead after just 13 minutes. Graham Lawlor laid off a neat ball to Derek Swan on the right touch-line and the striker pulled Matthew Hare hither and thither before hitting a low cross for the charging Eoin Mullen to side-foot the ball into the right corner.

Bohemians appeared to believe the hard work was done at that stage and failed to create many more chances, though Doolin did go close with a back-post header from a Donal Broughan free two minutes before half-time.

In the main Sligo were confined to swift counterattacks with the fleet-footed midfielder Steve Jones looking the most likely provider of an equaliser.

With Sligo showing a greater appetite for the fray in the second half, the Bohemians defence, which up to this had appeared solid, began to creak. A poor back pass by James Coll 10 minutes into the second half let striker Falcon Rose in for his first clear-cut chance. More dithering 12 minutes later presented the South African with a much better opportunity, but this time he shot tamely at Dempsey. Coll was stretchered off after being injured while trying to tackle Rose, and the game had just restarted when left full back Mark Hutchison let fly with a 20-yard drive which beat Dempsey at his near post.