A vital 70th minute equaliser from Colm Tresson enabled Bray Wanderers to collect another important point and ease their relegation worries at the Carlisle Grounds last night.
The Students had taken the lead after just five minutes following a short corner by John Martin on the left. Then in stepped Darragh Ryan to whip over a cross, only partially cleared by Jody Lynch. Robert McAuley then fired home from 10 yards, giving goalkeeper Matt Gregg no chance.
College player-coach Paul Doolin, playing his 500th league game, was an inspiration for the visitors. The 38-year-old Doolin was a model of composure, orchestrating the College midfield.
But the Students were fortunate when Thomas Morgan twice missed easy chances for Bray and then Jason Byrne failed to finish an opening created by Eddie Gormley.
College might have grabbed a second goal on the half-hour when John Martin supplied the perfect ball to his brother only for the latter to see his effort pushed out by Gregg.
The introduction of substitutes Dave Williamson and Paul Forsyth for Bray on 65 minutes paid immediate dividends. Forsyth's cross from the left just five minutes later was coolly headed home from eight yards by Tresson, past the diving Barry Ryan.
BRAY: Gregg; Tresson, Doohan, Lynch; Britton, Morgan, Fox, Gormley, Keogh; Keegan, Byrne. Substitutes: Williamson for Britton 65 mins; Forsyth for Morgan 65, O'Brien for Byrne 88.
UCD: B Ryan; Keating, McDonell, McAuley, D Ryan; J Martin, Doolin, McNally, O'Donnell; R Martin, Finn. Substitutes: Quinn for Keating 83, Martyn for Finn 88.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
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