SOCCER/National League: Ger McCarthy's first goal for Shelbourne rounded off a memorable Dublin derby last night at Tolka Park where his late equaliser deprived Bohemians of a win that would have catapulted the defending champions to within two points of the early league leaders.

With the goal coming so late the result may go down as a bit of a let-off for Pat Fenlon's side but the reality is that it was the hosts that had by far the better of the chances over the course of the 90 minutes.

Jason Byrne, in particular, could have wrapped things up for Shelbourne but his misses left Bohemians with everything to play for as the game moved towards its dramatic climax and after Kevin Hunt scored seven minutes from time it seemed as though it would be the title holders who grabbed all three points.

The best of the first-half chances fell to Bohemians' centre backs Colin Hawkins and Derek Coughlan whose close range headers were directed straight at goalkeeper Steve Williams and just over respectively. Late in the half Dave Morrison did manage a decent curling shot that forced Williams into something approaching a save.

At the other end Shelbourne's attack was proving more effective with Jason Byrne heading off the foot of the post early on, Richie Baker firing too close to Shay Kelly after a fine build-up by Byrne and Stephen Geoghegan and Geoghegan then going close himself on the stroke of half-time with a shot that Coughlan cleared just short of the line even though Kelly looked to have it covered.

For all the chances, though, the only thing separating the two sides at half-time was Crawford's goal from eight yards after the Bohemians defence had twice failed to deal effectively with angled crosses into the area.

More threatening in attack after the introduction of both Mark Rutherford and Bobby Ryan at the break, it took Bohemians just eight minutes to cancel out the lead through Coughlan's header off Ryan's corner from the left.

It promised, briefly enough, to be the beginning of a much better spell for the visitors but it was Shelbourne who reacted best by stepping up the pace and producing a couple of fine attacking movements out of defence.

Baker provided the link for both but Byrne couldn't manage the required finish on either occasion, first sidefooting over an empty goal after Kelly had parried Geoghegan's shot and then driving the ball wide of the target after his striking partner had set him up nicely just inside the area.

The frustration on the Shelbourne bench was clear but it was compounded seven minutes from time when, moments after Stephen Caffrey's low drive had been cleared off the line by Jim Gannon, Hunt found the top corner of the Shelbourne goal with a wonderfully struck shot from just outside the area.

Some inspired switches by Fenlon, changing both wide men, and also throwing on a fresh striker in the shape of Gerard Rowe produced the equaliser.

McCarthy provided the required goal as the game moved into injury time with the former St Patrick's player working his way in from the left and playing a low square ball for Byrne whose attempted backheel rebounded to McCarthy who tapped home from a couple of yards to level the game.

It sent the home support wild with joy and keeps Shelbourne two points clear at the top of the table.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Doherty, Gannon, Crawford; R Baker (McCarthy, 86 mins), Morgan, Crawford, Hoolahan (Cahill, 86 mins); Geoghegan (Rowe, 90 mins), Byrne.

BOHEMIANS: Kelly; Lynch, Coughlan, Hawkins, Webb; Harkin (Ryan, half-time), Hunt, Caffrey, Morrison (Rutherford, half-time); Keegan (Doyle, 69 mins), Crowe.

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).