Though intriguing, the first half was noteworthy for just one Bohs chance on 35 minutes. Skipper Paul Keegan knocked down a Killian Brennan cross and Alan Mannus had to get down sharply to parry Mark Quigley low drive.

Rovers remained on the back foot till late on when the real drama arrived.

Substitute Dessie Baker, teed up from Pat Flynn’s low cross, saw his goal-bound shot brilliantly deflected onto the bar by Ken Oman on 79 minutes.

A follow up from Thomas Stewart was then also blocked by the big Bohs defender as loud appeals for a handball rang out from the Connaught Street side of the ground.

Yet more howls echoed from the Rovers fans and their bench on 86 minutes when Oman appeared to block another Baker shot with an arm.

Hoops maintained their late flurry to the end with Bohs keeper Barry Murphy having to tip over a stinging drive from Chris Turner deep in stoppage time.

An incident on the final whistle sparked a right scuffle between most of the players and backroom staff before order was restored and the teams applauded their respective fans before leaving the field.