Shelbourne - 2 Drogheda Utd - 2: So depleted are Bohemians these days that Wednesday's decision by an FAI appeal board to order a replay of their game against Shelbourne might just be viewed already by some in these parts as three points won.
What is far more certain, though, is that Pat Fenlon's men will view last night as two lost at Tolka Park, with their second half performance comfortably strong enough to yield the win they needed after they survived a far tougher first 45 minutes.
Amid rumours after the game that their manager might walk out in frustration over the non-payment of last week's wages and, as of yesterday afternoon, none for this week either, it could have been much worse.
They first handicapped themselves by conceding a goal just 90 second in and then surrendered a second-half lead, again through poor defending, at a time when their opponents could actually have gone on to win the game.
In the end, though, Shelbourne will wonder how they didn't nail the win down late on for they dominated the closing stages and had chances to grab the game's fifth goal. It would, however, have been cruel on United had they left with nothing to show for a spirited contribution to an entertaining game.
A win, manager Paul Doolin conceded , was more or less vital if they were to maintain what most would regard as a faint challenge for the title and it was the pressure on both sides that had prompted him on Thursday to predict the encounter could turn out to be a compelling contest.
His side, as it turned out, less than two minutes to gain the upper hand. From the game's first corner Paul Keegan floated the ball to the near post from where Shane Barrett got a slight touch before Jason Gavin arrived unchallenged to steer the ball home.
If there was a consolation for the home support it was, of course, that there was plenty of time for Shelbourne to get themselves back into things and the players showed a good deal of application as they set about doing just that.
In midfield, they looked the better side but when United broke they found chances surprisingly easy to create and the first half's best three after the goal were all produced by the visitors.
Glen Fitzpatrick almost found the net with a close range back pass after a prolonged scramble deep inside the box while Keegan went close from distance and Shane Robinson finished a fine passing move out of defence with a sweetly curling shot from just over 20 yards out that came flying back off the crossbar.
Their hosts, on the other hand, struggled up front where Gary O'Neill was partnering Glen Crowe while Jason Byrne warmed the bench. Neither man seemed capable of seriously testing Gavin or Graham Gartland in the centre of the back four and the best they and their team-mates could muster was a couple of wild strikes that flew off target.
Fenlon's patience with the striking partnership seemed set to run out within a few minutes of the second half getting under way but just as Byrne had stripped off and looked set to replace O'Neill, the former Dublin City player produced a fine shot from 15 yards out that just beat the outstretched hand of Dan Connor and found the bottom left corner of the net.
Four minutes later the home side were in front after Damien Lynch conceded possession under the main stand and Joseph Ndo floated in a cross that O'Halloran, arriving unmarked at the far post, headed home.
The locals were jubilant but the celebrations had barely died down when United were level again. Robinson this time crossed from the left for Gavin Whelan to turn the ball goalwards although Eamon Zayed's slight touch as the ball flew past gave him grounds to claim the credit ahead of his team-mate.
By this stage it was frantic and rather exciting stuff with both teams eagerly chasing the three points. Shelbourne had two goals disallowed, both for offside between the 70th and 85th minutes, while Fitzpatrick forced Steve Williams into a brave save in the closing seconds.
The league leaders looked much the more likely to likely to grab a winner but they couldn't quite break through some fiercely determined late resistance from United and when Paul Tuite finally called a halt to things after some five minutes of added time it was the travelling support who did the singing while the locals could but sit back and nervously wait on what turned out to be the good news from the Brandywell.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; O'Halloran, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Ryan (Moore, 74 mins), Ndo, S Byrne, Cahill; Crowe, O'Neill (J Byrne, 62 mins).
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gavin, Gartland, Grey; Whelan, Robinson, Keegan, Barrett; Zayed (Ristilla, 79 mins), Fitzpatrick.
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
