Byrne eases Bray worries

Bray Wnaderers 4 Longford Town 1:A spectacular hat-trick from striker Jason Byrne on his recall to the first team spurred Bray Wanderers to their first victory in five games to ease their relegation worries at the Carlisle grounds last night. But it wasn't all glory for Byrne who was stretchered off in the final minute with a badly damaged calf injury.

Longford rarely threatened the home goal and now face a struggle to avoid the relegation play-off place.

Twice Byrne went close with headers early on but eventually the big striker broke the deadlock on 13 minutes. A burst by Philip Keogh down the left saw him skip past two defenders before his shot was blocked by Alan Reynolds. Byrne was quickest to react, picking up the rebound and shooting home from 14 yards.

A marvellous midfield ball from Eddie Gormley started the move which led to Bray's second goal on the half-hour. Barry O'Connor collected the ball on the right wing and whipped over a perfect cross for Byrne to head home at the far post.

The match was over as a contest when Byrne grabbed his hat-trick on 70 minutes. A long throw-in by Matt Britton on the right was not cleared by Reynolds and Byrne made no mistake shooting home from close range.

Longford snatched a consolation goal on 77 minutes when Bray defender Keith Doyle miscued a simple clearance sending the ball spinning over the head of goalkeeper Matt Gregg and into the unguarded net.

But Bray were not finished yet and in the second minute of added time substitute Pal Keegan outsprinted the Longford defence and squared the ball for Stephen Fox to tap home.

BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; Britton, Doohan, Charles, Doyle; B O'Connor, Tresson, Gormley, Keogh; Fox, J Byrne. Subs: Forsyth for B O'Connor 63 mins, P Keegan for Gormley 72 mins, Long for J Byrne 90 mins.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Kenny, McNally, Kelly, W Byrne; Zellor, M Byrne, Reynolds, Holt; Coleman, K O'Connor. Subs: Molloy for M Byrne 77 mins.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)

Bray Wanderers ... 4

Longford town ... 1