Bohemians conceded their first goal of the season as Stokes come back to haunt his former side before James Finnerty notched his first of the season to give his side a share of the spoils. After a slow opening, the games first big moment of controv
Bohemians conceded their first goal of the season as Stokes come back to haunt his former side before James Finnerty notched his first of the season to give his side a share of the spoils.
After a slow opening, the games first big moment of controvery arose and it was the home fans who were in uproar. Darragh Leahys long clearance upfield saw winger Luke Wade-Slater get the wrong side of his marker Ciaran Coll.
The Derry left-back looked to trip the pacey winger as he got goal side and as the home fans bellowed for a red card, referee Tomas Connolly produced a yellow. From the resulting free kick, Peter Cherrie saved expertly to pick out Keith Ward's free kick from the top corner as the game threatened to come to life.
Both teams continued to feel each other out with not much in the way of goal mouth action, but the home side had the best chance of the first half. Conor Levingston picked out unmarked Wade-Slater at the back-post who headed across the face of goal.
Agonizingly for the Gypsies, Danny Mandroiu was inches away from turning it in. The visitors got a dream start to the second half when the experienced Derek Pender brought down former team mate Eoghan Stokes just inside the area.
The home side responded well only to find Peter Cherrie in fantastic form. Substitute Robbie McCourt tried his luck from 30 yards but the effort was deflected into the path of Ali Reghba, who from just inside the area hammered the ball towards goal.
The Derry stopper reacted brilliantly to parry the ball away as most of the home fans stared on in disbelief. The pressure finally told and the home side got themselves back on level terms.
Keith Ward went on a dribble down the left side and looked to poke the ball through to Sam Byrne but was slightly behind the front man. The ball trickled through and midfielder James Finnerty reacted quickest to poke the ball home from close range.
