Bohemians manager Declan Devine cut a despondent figure after a 2-0 home lost to Shelbourne in the North Dublin derby on Friday night.
A fairly eventless game sprang into life late in the second half, after Shels were awarded a penalty for a Cian Byrne foul on Sean Boyd.
Will Jarvis dispatched the spot-kick before a Gavin Molloy header five minutes later sparked a mass exodus of Dalymount Park, with home supporters having seen enough.
It was the second defeat of the week for Bohs, after a 2-1 loss at Drogheda United on Monday night, and all four goals conceded in the two games were as a result of set pieces.
The latest loss sees Bohs languishing in seventh place in the table with one win out of four matches, and the pressure appears to be increasing on Devine.
🎙️ | "The buck stops with me"
Disappointment for Declan Devine and Bohemians as they fall to defeat at the hands of Shelbourne.#LOITV | #BOHSHE pic.twitter.com/uMT7xZZGbc— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 8, 2024
Declan Devine despondent after Dublin derby defeat
Afterwards, he took responsibility for his team selection, but called out his defenders for making mistakes in the build-up to the goals.
"It's just not been good enough," the Derry native told LOITV. "We didn't do enough to win it. I didn't think there was a lot between the two teams but ultimately we've lost the game 2-0 and there are no excuses.
"The buck stops with me, the team I picked. I take full responsibility because at the end of the day, we can't give away the goals in the manner we gave them away.
"Two goals on Monday night, two goals tonight and the bottom line is it's not good enough to lose in the manner that we lost, even though there was very little in the game.
"The penalty I felt was harsh but it's caused by ourselves. Not knowing what's over your shoulder and it's reactive after that. We have to defend the free kick better as well. Ultimately our defensive characters in the last five days have cost us big.
"That's up to me, it's the team I put out. So, hands up. My fault."
TABLE | SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division
Shelbourne's excellent win at Dalymount Park keeps them two points clear at the top 👏
The bottom half all have games in hand, starting tomorrow at the Showgrounds where Sligo Rovers welcome Shamrock Rovers!#LOITV pic.twitter.com/WcrSIXdT0C— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 8, 2024
Shels stay top after win
Things aren't going to get any easier for Devine, with next Friday's home meeting with Derry City followed up by a trip to Tallaght Stadium for another Dublin derby with Shamrock Rovers.
He isn't the only manager under pressure in the Premier Division, with Stephen O'Donnell's Dundalk side still rooted to the bottom of the table without a win, after a 1-0 loss at St. Patrick's Athletic on Friday.
Shelbourne sit top on 13 points after their win over Bohs, with Derry two points behind them after a Pat Hoban hat-trick saw off Waterford 3-0 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Galway United and Drogheda drew 0-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park, and champions Shamrock Rovers will look to kick-start their season when they travel to Sligo Rovers for a 7.45pm kick-off on Saturday night.
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