Defending champions Shelbourne may still have the destination of this year's title within their own hands as they head into this evening's game at the Brandywell.

But Bohemians reminded their neighbours again last night that this remains very much a two-horse race by producing one of their most memorable wins of the season to leapfrog their rivals at the top of the table.

Two goals from Stephen Caffrey, Mark Rutherford's fifth in eight games and second half strikes from Trevor Molloy Alex Nesovic were enough to extend the Dublin club's late title run.

Both sides came into the game with an impressive bit of form behind them but if the relegation threatened strugglers thought that they could continue a run that had included recent drubbings of St Patrick's and Bray, then it wasn't long before the Dubliners brought them firmly down to earth.

Before the game had even started to settle into a pattern, Roddy Collins' side were in front with Mark Rutherford, Simon Webb, Trevor Molloy and finally Stephen Caffrey all getting involved in a wonderful passing move down the left hand side that ended with the midfielder driving low past Gavin Cullen from a dozen yards out.

The goalkeeper got a touch to the shot just as he did five minutes later when Rutherford finished off a jinking solo run from the wing from a similar distance.

Bohemians, however, were already playing some of the sweetest football they have produced this season, their midfield running rampant where Harps were attempting to be far more positive than their last visited here back in October.

Some of the spirit that had earned Harps their similarly decisive recent wins over European hopefuls showed through as the second half progressed, however. Shane Bradley's goal came from a Jonathon Minnock free some 35 yards out but late on Wayne Russell had his fair share of close scrapes with Bradley and, after his arrival 12 minutes from time, Neil Fitzhenry both forcing fine reaction saves from the goalkeeper.

By then, however, the game was beyond them. Another neat bit of ball passing play had set up Glen Crowe for his 23rd league goal of the season but when the ball came flying back off the crossbar Caffrey was on hand to guide home the third goal of the night. And within four minutes of Bradley's effort Molloy restored the three goal advantage, picking his spot well from the edge of the area.

Even that, you suspect, the visitors could have lived with. But when their former striker Alex Nesovic rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute and Neil Lloyd was sent off in injury time they probably found it hard to believe that another brave performance had done nothing more than help hand their rivals at UCD a late season life line.

BOHEMIANS: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Hill, Webb; Byrne, Hunt, Caffrey (O'Brien, 80 mins), Rutherford (Morrison, 55 mins); Molloy, Crowe (Nesovic, 62 mins).

FINN HARPS: Cullen; Scanlon, R Kenny, Bradley, Minnock; J Kenny (Mohan, 57 mins), McGrenaghan, Harkin, Bonner (Lloyd, 78 mins); Speak (Fitzhenry, 78 mins); McHugh.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).