LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Bohemians 2 Cork City 1: A STUNNING 87th-minute winner from substitute Mark Rossiter moved Bohemians to within two points of leaders St Patrick's Athletic as Pat Fenlon's side provided further evidence of their title aspirations.

Rossiter, on the pitch just minutes, collected Jason Byrne's neat lay-off - his first touch since coming in seconds earlier - to drive a powerful right-foot shot to the bottom corner of the net from over 20 yards.

An improved second-half display from Cork had seen them battle back to level Neale Fenn's first-half opening goal on 81 minutes when George O'Callaghan's free-kick in from the left was deflected into his own net off the head of Bohemians' captain Owen Heary.

Though Cork might have snatched the lead twice on the break within a minute early on, Bohemians put in perhaps their best opening 45 minutes of the season to deservedly lead 1-0 at the interval.

Cork striker John O'Flynn, played in by Danny Murphy, failed to connect properly as he attempted to lob Brian Murphy after 12 minutes and Mooney should have done better seconds later.

Bohemians should have taken the lead on 27 minutes but Glen Crowe's shot was saved by goalkeeper Mick Devine and Crowe's tame follow up, albeit while off balance, was cleared off the line by Cork captain Dan Murray.

A mere reprieve it was, though, as Bohemians deservedly went in front eight minutes later. A disputed foul by Murray on Fenn brought the goal. Killian Brennan, anonymous till then, swept over a terrific free-kick to the back post where Fenn, a league winner with Cork in 2005, scored with a downward header.

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Heary, Oman, Burns, Powell; Kelly (Rossiter, 84 mins), Cronin, O'Donnell, Brennan; Fenn (Byrne, 87 mins), Crowe (McGuinness, 90 mins).

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Sullivan, Murray, Danny Murphy; Kearney, O'Callaghan, Gamble, Ryan (Darren Murphy, 60 mins); Mooney, O'Flynn (Behan, 70 mins).

Referee: Richie Winter(Dublin).