Drogheda Utd 3 Bray Wanderers 0: A 35th minutes goal from the in-form Mark Leech sent slow-starting Drogheda United to a deserved victory over Bray Wanderers at United Park.
The home side should have been at least two goals to the good in the opening minutes after Leech set up Sami Ristila, who missed a sitter from six yards.
Ristila then saw his shot parried by Chris O'Connor in the Wanderers goal as Gavin Whelan followed up and knocked the ball to the net only to be ruled offside.
O'Connor's busy night in goal continued when Pat Sullivan's shot was blocked with quarter of an hour gone.
Bray then enjoyed a good spell as Brian McGovern's header was booted off the line by Graham Gartland, Eamon Zayed pulled the ball wide from the edge of the box and Stephen Fox drove over from 25 yards.
Drogheda finally turned their superiority into a goal on 35 minutes. Damian Lynch sent Ristila clear and the midfielder threaded a superb pass through to Leech, who rifled home from 12 yards.
United began the second half where they left off and went two ahead on 58 minutes.
Dan Connor in the home goal launched the ball into the right corner finding Leech, who controlled the ball before beating his man and crossing for Ristila to superbly cushion his header to the net.
A minute from time Drogheda made it three when substitute Mark Rooney cracked the ball to the net from 20 yards.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gray, Bradley, Gartland, Whelan, Ristila, Leech, Sullivan, Sandvliet. Subs: O'Brien for Leechy (64 mins), Reilly for Sandvliet (68 mins), Rooney for Ristilla (79 mins).
BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor, Tresson, Davey, Fox, McGovern, James, O'Reilly, Keogh, Zayed, O'Brien, Tyrell. Subs: Synnott for Keogh (66 mins), McGrory for O'Brien (71 mins), Zambra for James (87 mins).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
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