Killian Brennan scored the only goal of the game as Bohemians beat the New Saints in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round on Tuesday.
In a closely contested match in the wind and rain at Dalymount Park, both teams had their chances with Chris Sharp, Mathew Berkley and Craig Jones going close for the Welsh champions.
But it was the Irish side, who are midway through their season, who netted the all important goal as Brennan headed Paddy Madden’s cross past Paul Harrison after 66 minutes.
And Madden came within a whisker of adding a second goal in the dying minutes but hit his shot wide of the post.
But with just a one goal deficit to overcome at Park Hall, the Saints have every right to be confident when they welcome the Bohs to Oswestry next Tuesday.
Bohemians: Barry Murphy, Owen Heary, Conor Powell, Ken Oman, Paul Keegan, Raffaele Cretaro (Jason Byrne 75′), Killian Brennan, Paddy Madden, Brian Shelley, Mark Quigley, Ruairi Higgins.
Unused subs: Mark Rossiter, Jason McGuinness, Glen Cronin, Gary Burke, Lee Dixon, Chris O’Connor.
Yellow cards: Shelley 37′, Cretaro 58′
Goal: Brennan 66′
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Danny Holmes, Chris Marriott, Phil Baker, Steve Evans, Scott Ruscoe, Barry Hogan, Chris Sharp, Matty Williams (Alex Darlington 83′), Craig Jones, Mathew Berkeley (Jamie Wood 77′).
Unused subs: Simon Williams, Tommy Holmes, Chris Seargeant, John McKenna, Aeron Edwards.
Yellow card: Craig Jones 51′
Att: 2,500
Referee: Bas Nijhuis (The Netherlands)
