Bohemians 0 Aberdeen 1

Bohemians go into the hat for the UEFA Cup proper even though they lost to Aberdeen at Tolka Park last night.

Roddy Collins' side, leading 2-1 from the first leg at Pittodrie, knew they would be tested by the Scottish Premier side in the return tie and so it turned out.

The Dons were on top for most of the first half and it looked bleak for the Dubliners when Darren O'Keeffe was dismissed for a second bookable offence just before half time.

It still remains to be seen whether Bohs will challenge the sending off.

O'Keeffe earned his first yellow card for a perfect tackle, which left him injured. He went off for treatment and when he came back on he underhit a pass and then pulled back an Aberdeen attacker, leaving the referee with no choice but to flash a second yellow.

The sending off seemed to help Bohemians rather than hinder them. They came out for the second half with a game plan to slow down the game and pass the ball into space which they did with excellent composure.

Trevor Molloy was asked to play up front on his own and he ran his heart out for the cause. Actually all the players did. But Molloy was surely unlucky not to be named man of the match after his holding and chasing display.

Another man who had a cracker was Dave Morrison but he was unfortunate to put through his own net midway through the second half to set up a nervous finish. The referee added over five minutes at the end of the game and goalkeeper Wayne Russell made an outstanding save at the death to keep his team's advantage.

This is the first time an Irish club have beaten a Scottish club in European football and by the resolute display Bohs gave it could become common practice.

Well done to all involved and let's hope they get their reward in the next round with a big tie against the likes of Celtic, Liverpool or Inter Milan.

Bohemians: Wayne Russell, Rob Bowman, Shaun Maher, Dave Hill, Simon Webb, Dave Morrison, Stephen Caffrey, Kevin Hunt, Darren O'Keeffe, Mark Dempsey, Trevor Molloy.
Subs: Tony O'Connor for Bowman (45 mins).
Aberdeen: Esson, Rowson, McGuire, Whyte, McNaughton, Guntveit, Bernard, Young, Dow, Winters, Zerouali.
Subs: Mackie for Bernard (56 mins), Rutkiewice for Dow (83 mins).
Referee: Leif Sundell (Sweden).