PITCH HITCH NOT HELPING

KEITH LONG says Bohemians are fighting a scorched earth issue at Dalymount Park despite the boost of a home Dublin derby victory over Shels.

- MICHAEL SCULLY

The 1-0 win on Friday night saw the Gypsies leapfrog their northside rivals in mid-table ahead of Friday's clash with bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers.

"We were glad to see it out," said Long, after Bohs held on to the lead after Ciaran Kelly's 54th-minute red card.

The Gypsies went ahead thanks to Dawson Devoy's 13th-minute cracker and Long was thankful that Shels sub-Gavin Hodgins struck the crossbar late on.

"It was heart in the mouth time but I think we deserved that little bit of luck that we hadn't got in previous games," said Long, bemoaning his side's large number of draws eight in the first half of the campaign.