Bray relegated from top flight

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Derry City 3 Bray Wanderers 0: BRAY Wanderers' automatic relegation to the First Division was finally confirmed at the Brandywell last night as Derry captain, Peter Hutton, played his final home game.

And it was an emotional night for the veteran 36-year-old centre-back who was given a rousing send-off by the Brandywell faithful.

While Derry certainly deserved to win the game, the final scoreline flattered Stephen Kenny’s men as Bray midfielder Dave Mulcahy netted an own goal to seal his side’s sad fate in the 63rd minute.

A superb shot by Bray’s Stephen Brennan forced Derry goalkeeper, Gerard Doherty, into a top-class save in the 17th minute. But, within 60 seconds, the home side responded.

Thomas Stewart did well to work his way in behind the Bray defence and his low centre presented Davy McDaid with the simplest of tap-ins. It was the teenager’s third goal in as many games.

Derry, however, seemed to struggle for a period afterwards with Bray actually gaining the momentum. The basement side forced City onto the back foot, but they failed to make that pressure count.

Indeed, minutes before the break, Bray’s hopes were not helped with the loss of centre-back, Derek Foran and left winger, Gary McCabe, to injury.

After the change of ends Derry doubled their advantage in the 55th minute from a set-piece.

James Clean floated in a corner from the right before the towering Clive Delaney headed firmly home from eight yards.

Bray’s automatic relegation to the First Division was confirmed in the 63rd minute when the unfortunate Mulcahy headed the ball into his own goal from close range as he attempted to clear.

DERRY CITY:Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, O'Brien (Kearney, 80); Deery (Scullion, 79), Higgins, McClean; Stewart (Morrow, 76), McDaid.

BRAY WANDERERS:O'Connor; Pender, Foran (Shields, 45), Webster, Doyle; Coughlan, Mulcahy, Brennan, McCabe (Massey, 41); Flood, Mulroy.

Referee:D Hancock (Dublin).