Disputed penalty earns Bray a point

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION:Bray Wanderers 1 Dundalk 1

BRAY MAY have struck the woodwork four times, but they needed a dubious penalty to earn a point at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

It’s a game Dundalk defender Simon Kelly will want to quickly forget as he was harshly adjudged to have handled for Bray’s spot kick in first-half stoppage time before being sent off late on.

Dundalk deservedly went in front on 42 minutes when the hardworking Declan O’Brien got a close-range flick to George O’Callaghan’s cross to turn the ball past O’Connor.

But an apparently harsh decision gifted Bray an equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Simon Kelly slid in to win a challenge on Jake Kelly on the edge of the area with his arm touching the ball on the ground.

To vociferous protests, Cork referee Anthony Buttimer pointed to the spot and Kelly sent debutant goalkeeper Ryan Coulter the wrong way from Bray’s fourth penalty in three home games.

Dundalk remained the dominant side into the second half, forcing five corners, but it was Bray who came within inches of taking the lead on 67 minutes when Chris Shields’ 25-yarder came back of the angle of the bar and post.

BRAY WANDERERS:O'Connor; Webster, Foran, Deans, Massey; McCabe, Brennan, Shields, Kelly (Coughlan, 56 mins); Byrne, Flood (Mulroy, 56 mins).

DUNDALK:Coulter; Shaun Kelly (Heary, 73 mins), Simon Kelly, Burns, Rogers; Turner, Daly, O'Callaghan, Singh; Mansaram, O'Brien (Mackle, 83 mins).

Referee:Anthony Buttimer (Cork).