BOHEMIANS moved into St Patrick Athletic's slip stream although it wasn't all plain sailing at a windswept Dalymount Park last night.

Donal Broughan's goal just before the break helped move Bohemians into second place behind St Patrick's but it took a piece of good fortune to secure the three points for the home side.

Until then Bohemians had had very little of the play with half chances falling to Derek Swan and Maurice O'Driscoll. However, the game exploded into life in a frantic two minute spell just before the interval.

The hosts first had a penalty turned down when Padraig Dully, making his home debut, looked to have had the legs taken from underneath him.

However, Dublin referee, Joe Byrne waved play on and the advantage almost led to the first score when Peter Hanrahan fired in a shot from the edge of the box which Jody Byrne did well to turn away for a corner.

The former Shamrock Rovers, and Shelbourne goalkeeper was forced to perform more heroics just moments later when Colin O'Brien upended Derek Swan in the penalty area.

This time the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and although Byrne got a hand to Broughan's spot kick the ball hung sufficiently in the air to allow the full back to head in the rebound for his third goal in three games.

With a strong breeze blowing at their backs in the second half, Bohemians attempted to kill off the game but were pinned in their own half for long stretches by a resolute Cork side who were not short on attacking options.