Bohemians 0-1 Red Bull Salzburg
(Salzburg win 2-1 on aggregate)

Champions’ League glory was within touching distance for Bohemians at Dalymount Park until it was cruelly stolen with just four minutes remaining.

The Gypsies were forced to remove the foot they already had in the next round when a moment’s hesitation from Mark Rossiter cost the club its place in Europe as Red Bull Salzburg’s Patrick Jezek stole in to loop a header over Brian Murphy and put his side through.

The Austrians had been frustrated by a well organised and hard working effort from the Irish champions, but a simple error cost them dearly.

Red Bull started well and nearly went in front within the first minute as their confidence was matched by early jitters in the Gypsies’ camp.

Bohs survived the initial corner but Somen Tchoyi’s second attempt was headed into the side netting by Franz Schwegler.

The Dubliners almost struck for the after eleven minutes - Killian Brennan found Jason Byrne on the back past with a free only for the league’s top scorer to head over.

The home side started to string some passes together as they soaked up some valuable time with the ball at their feet. Conor Powell was finding room down the left flank and Ken Oman was repelling advances through the middle. Gary Deegan and Paul Keegan were in control through the middle.

The Austrian threat was still there and Franz Scheimer took advantage of a loose Brennan pass to try his look after a strong run, only for the shot to trickle wide while Powell nearly got a stroke of luck at the other end when his wayward cross had to be tipped over by scrambling Eddie Gustafsson.

Ken Oman made a crucial interception to stop a Thomas Augustinussen shot while Franz Scheimer headed over as the Bohs defence largely dealt with the Red Bull threat comfortably.

After the break, the game resembled a complex game of chess as disciplined Gypsies pushed for a stalemate. And they almost struck through Byrne after a one-two with Ndo who was excellent in holding possession.

Marko Janko headed just wide with ten minutes remaining as Red Bull pushed, but as Bohs looked to be clinging on, Rossiter let Milan Dudic’s cross bounce in front of him allowing the Austrians in to kill the Bohemian dream.

Bohemians: B Murphy; Rossiter (McGuinness 88) Oman, Shelley, Powell; Byrne (Cronin 84), Keegan, Deegan, Ndo, Keegan, Brennan (A Murphy 66); Crowe.
Red Bull Salzburg: Gustafsson; Schwegler, Dudic, Scheimer, Ulmer (Jezek 59); Tchoyi, Augustinussen, Ilic (Vladavic 63), Leitgeb (Nelisse 73), Svento; Janko.
Ref: A Stavrev (Macedonia).