IRN-BRU Cup Report: Bohemians 0 - 0 Sutton United (Bohemians win 4-3 on penalties)

Dave Donnelly reports from Dalymount Park

On the night Ireland faced a Denmark reunion in the Aviva Stadium in the UEFA Nations League, Shane Supple underlined his international credentials with a match-winning penalty shoout-out display.

The 30-year-old was part of the squad for the summer friendlies with France and the United States but didn't see any gametime and hasn't been included in subsequent meet-ups.

He dug the Gypsies out of a significant hole on Saturday afternoon, however, saving twice in the shootout to set in motion a remarkable turnaround that saw them triumph 4-3.

Supple denied Kieron Cadogan and Craig Eastmond in quick succession, and scored his own spotkick in between, to force sudden death.

And he did enough to put off Aswad Thomas, whose spot-kick struck the underside the bar and rebounded back off the goalline after Rob Cornwall had scored his moments earlier.

It was no more than the Gypsies deserved for a game in which they'd dominated with intricate passing football that left the English side chasing shadows for long periods.

Keith Long later admitted Monday's night's opposition Cork City were the ideal preparation as they play a similar style to Sutton, and he encouraged his side to play from the back to tire them out.

They could have led as early as the fourth minute when Dan Kelly's left-footed shot was spilled by the unsteady Ross Worner, but Dinny Corcoran mishit the rebound from eight yards.

Kelly's pace was a real threat early on and he drew a booking for Dale Bennett when the defender chopped him down following an incisive run, but Stokes hit the wall with the free kick.

Sutton's first spell of pressure resulting in the ball finding the net as Charlie Clough's shot was turned in by Tom Bolarinwa, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

Moments later, a rare error in possession from Derek Pender let former Sligo Rovers striker Jonah Ayunga in, and he teed up Craig Eastmond for a tame effort that barely troubled Supple.

A wonderfully-weighted through ball from JJ Lunney set Kelly clear then, but with just the keeper to beat the Bolton Wanderers target poked his shot just past the far post.

And the home side felt they should have had a penalty on the stroke of half time when Pender's shot was spilled and Corcoran went over Clough's leg, but Scottish referee Michael Roncone said no.

Bohs continued to control the game after the break and it took a good turn of pace and a calm head from Dan Wishart to foil Kelly as he blazed onto Corcoran's pass down the right.

They were very nearly undone just past the hour, however, as a rehearsed corner routine saw sub Kenny Davis pick out Clough unmarked and his goalbound header hit his own player on the line.

Clough was lucky to stay on the pitch moments later as a mix-up with keeper Worner saw the ball break to Kelly, and the defender's dangerous lunge only yielded yellow.

Ayunga, by far the best player in yellow on the day, caused further problems with a well-struck low effort that Supple could only parry, and Josh Taylor couldn't steer home the loose ball.

Sensing they had the physical advantage, Sutton brought on subs Ross Lafayette and Kieron Cadogan, but it was Clough who somehow put his diving header wide nine minutes from time.

Bohs were hanging on at the end, but they did enough to force extra time and, despite misses from Brennan and Stokes, Supple stood tall to see the Gypsies through to the quarter-finals.

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Robbie McCourt (Paddy Kirk 60); Keith Buckley (Oscar Brennan 80), JJ Lunney, Eoghan Stokes; Kevin Devaney, Daniel Kelly, Dinny Corcoran (Cristian Magerusan 72).

Subs not used: Colin McCabe (gk), Ian Morris, Keith Ward, Ryan Graydon.

Sutton United: Ross Worner; Dale Bennett, Charlie Clough, Dale Bennett, Dan Wishman; Craig Eastmond, Wayne Brown (Kenny Davis 55), Josh Taylor; Tom Bolarinwa (Kieron Cadogan 78), Jonah Ayunga (Ross Lafayette 78), Aaron Drinan.

Subs not used: Jamie Butler (gk), Harry Beautyman.

Referee: Michael Roncone.

Attendance: 1,330.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: JJ Lunney (Bohemians)