'BEKO TO HIS BEST!

Mipo returns to top form with derby winner for champs

- PAUL O'HEHIR

MIPO ODUBEKO exploded onto the League of Ireland scene at the start of the season and looked primed to take the top flight by storm.

It didn't quite work out that way for the former West Ham man, following his President's Cup goal against Drogheda and league winner down in Waterford.

But the striker picked an opportune moment to remind everyone that he hasn't gone away, after weighing in with the big derby winner 11 minutes from time.

Tense games like this are decided on big moments, but neither side were creating too many of them until Shelbourne upped the ante after the break.

And Odubeko's late strike was just reward for the champions who ultimately showed more ambition to grind out the win, as Bohs' inconsistency continues to haunt them.

As the teams walked out before kick-off, Shels fans unfurled a huge banner that read: “Come at the champs. You best not miss.”

Fighting talk for sure, considering Shels were the only team not to have beaten Bohemians since Alan Reynolds took over.

But as Reynolds stood alone on the halfway line after the final whistle, he could have no complaints as he mulled it over.