Beckett earns Derry a replay

Derry City boss Kevin Mahon admitted his immense relief after substitute Gary Beckett had given the Brandywell side a Cup lifeline…

Derry City boss Kevin Mahon admitted his immense relief after substitute Gary Beckett had given the Brandywell side a Cup lifeline against Bray Wanderers on Saturday night. But Mahon was of the belief that his side had deserved Beckett's 83rd-minute equaliser which cancelled out Justin Dutton's 36th-minute strike.

"We had three or four quality chances to score before Gary was introduced," Mahon said, "but, in the end, I'm relieved that we're still there. It was a close call."

Bray's Pat Devlin predictably admitted his disappointment: "On the way up here I would have accepted a draw, but I am very disappointed to have conceded a late goal. We've never won at the Brandywell, but we played particularly well in the first half and could have added another goal. Derry will face a different Bray on Wednesday night."

Dutton took advantage of sloppy Derry defensive play when he hooked the ball home to silence the home support.

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However, all was well when Beckett entered the fray at the expense of flu victim Andy Moran in the 75th minute. The Enniskillen man lost his marker following a Darren McCaul corner, before smashing a right-foot volley into the roof of the net.

DERRY CITY: Platt; McCallion, Hutton, Kelly, Hargan; Moran, Hegarty, Doherty, McCready; Coyle, McHugh. Subs: McCaul for McHugh (42 mins), Beckett for Moran (75 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Gifford, Doohan, Tresson, Farrell; O'Brien, Keogh, Byrne, Ryan; O'Connor, Dutton. Subs: C O'Brien and Fox for O'Connor and Byrne (both 85 mins), Dodd for P O'Brien (87 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).