National League / Shamrock Rovers 1 Bohemians 2: Two penalties, three goals and some full-blooded tackling left nobody in any doubt that they had just witnessed a cracking Dublin derby at Richmond Park last night.  

In the end, the Bohemians strike-force of Robbie Doyle and a rejuvenated Glen Crowe were the difference.

But in the face of several late Shamrock Rovers assaults Colin Hawkins was excellent at centre-back.

In a lively opening, Bohemians looked most likely to open the scoring when Davy Morrison fired over the bar after a low corner from Doyle picked him out near the edge of the box.

However, quick thinking from Trevor Molloy came very close to putting one over on his former club after 11 minutes. He shaped to cross a free out on the right but at the last second struck a cheeky curler that almost sneaked in at Seamus Kelly's near post. The goalkeeper did well to get across his goalmouth.

For the remainder of the half Bohs seemed rudderless without Kevin Hunt, who was ruled out with a hamstring strain, while Rovers' new Moroccan international signing Samir Boughenem showed a calmness in possession which bodes well for the future.

Bohemians began to dictate the tempo and 12 minutes into the second-half the goal finally arrived. Crowe got the deftest of touches with his head from a Doyle free- kick to guide the ball into the net for his 10th league goal of the season.

Three minutes later, Morrison sent Simon Webb racing into the box and Boughenem got his debut off to a nightmare start when he pulled the full-back down with a wreckless challenge.

Doyle slotted home from the spot despite having to wait for several minutes before taking the penalty due to Morrison receiving attention for an injury he picked up in the build-up.

Despite being carried off the pitch Morrison returned and should have made the points safe when put through by Crowe but failed to score. Gary Haylock, also on his debut, slotted home the penalty for Rovers to leave it a nail-biting final 10 minutes for Bohemians.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Ryan, Gough, Doyle, Deans, Palmer, Keddy, Boughenem, Robinson, T Grant, Molloy, S Grant. Replacements: Reynolds for Bougheem (64 mins), Fitzpatrick for T Grant, Haylock for Molloy (both 73 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Kelly, Lynch, Webb, Hawkins, McNally, Heary, Caffrey, Harkin, Doyle, Crowe, Morrison. Replacements: Ryan for Harkin (85 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin)