Jonathan Afolabi’s second-half brace was enough for Bohemians to secure a tense 3-1 victory against Drogheda United at Weaver’s Park this evening, sending Declan Devine's men into the semi-final of the FAI Cup.

A first-half goal by Bohemians centre-half Krystian Nowak was cancelled out early in the second half by a Ryan Brennan penalty before Afolabi restored the Gypsies' advantage with a tidy finish in the 55^th minute.

A penalty in the dying embers of the game for Bohemians was slotted home by Afolabi, which sealed the victory for men from Phibsborough as they progressed to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.

The game began with a spell of early pressure by the hosts, winning a lot of corners early on but failing to apply significant pressure on James Talbot in the Bohemians' goal.

Bohs would grow into the game and create a decent chance with a lovely piece of play by Jonathan Afolabi. The Gypsies' striker controlled a long ball up to him before swivelling to fire a pass out wide to James Clarke, who crossed for Danny Grant but his volley spun just over the bar.

Conor Keeley was the most relieved man in Weaver’s Park just after the quarter-hour mark when he made a complete mess of a pass across the midfield, setting up Dylan Connolly who had an express lane to the Drogheda goal but his effort was saved well by Andrew Wogan.

A free kick by Jordan Flores created carnage in the Drogheda box as the initial effort was saved, and although the Wogan parried the rebounded effort out for a corner, Bohemians would take the lead seconds later.

Flores was again involved as he whipped a corner in dangerously into the crowded penalty area, only for it to be met by his centre back Krystian Nowak who directed the ball into the net.

Although Bohemains would take a one-goal lead into the dressing room, the teams would be level minutes after the restart.

Ryan Brennan read the flight of a deflected ball and latched onto it only to be brought down clumsily inside the penalty area giving Drogheda a chance to level the game. Brennan stepped up to the spot and sent the ball into the top right corner for the equalizer.

Seven minutes later Bohemians were back ahead thanks to some brilliant play by SSE Airtricity Player of the Month, James Clarke.

A rushed clearance out of the Drogheda defence found its way to James Clarke just inside the opposition half. Clarke drove forward with his usual powerful yet graceful strides, before slipping the ball through to Afolabi who curled the ball past Wogan.

Drogheda pushed for a goal and played most of the best football in the second half, but as the game drew closer to the 90^th minute, Afolabi was awarded a penalty after holding off Keeley inside the box before being tripped.

Stephen Kenny’s most recent international call-up dispatched the penalty with little fuss, making the final few minutes of the game much less stressful with a two-goal cushion.