Bohemians took the lead on 16 minutes after a foul by Sean O'Connor on winger John Paul Kelly.

The resulting free kick was powerfully blasted home to the top corner of the net from 20 yards by defender Killian Brennan giving 'keeper Barry Murphy no cnance.

That was his twelfth goal of the season.

Against the run of play, Bohemians stretched that lead on 37 minutes when striker Neale Fenn held the ball up perfectly for defender Mark Rossiter to shoot home from 20 yards.

Striker Glen Crowe then had a header on 49 minutes just over the top after an excellent cross by Kelly.

But the Hoops were very much back in the game with substitute Owen Doyle heading home on 62 minutes.

Rice produced the perfect ball for for Simon Madden to send over a cross from the right to enable Doyle to head home from close range.

It was a perfect finish that had Rovers fans baying for an equaliser.

But Bohemians were content to play a holding game and with brothers, Owen and Thomas Heary outstanding in the centre of defence, Pat Fenlon's team held out for a just about deserved victory.