Shamrock Rovers 4 Bray W 1:SHAMROCK ROVERS moved a step closer to a first league title in 16 years as they dismantled Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium last night .
Manager Michael O’Neill could even afford to withdraw striker Gary Twigg before half-time after the Hoops had steamrolled their visitors with the help of two goals and an assist from the Scotsman.
Rovers now lead St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians by five points after a dominant display.
They didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal as the early pressure told.
The luckless Seán Houston turned the ball into his own net on 15 minutes and Stephen Rice doubled the lead on 23 minutes, running on to a Twigg pass and slotting the ball past Matt Gregg.
The Scottish striker then struck for his 12th goal of the season with a neat finish from Danny Murphy’s cross and then slotted home Neale Fenn’s through ball to end the first half on a high.
Gary Dempsey pulled a consolation goal back for Bray in the 89th minute with a low drive.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Chambers, Price, Murray (Flynn h-t), Murphy; Kavanagh, Rice, Bradley (Turner 58), Dennehy; Fenn, Twigg (Stewart 45+1).
BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; Webster, S O’Connor, Prendergast, Houston; Zambra, Dempsey (Tresson 89) D O’Connor (Kavanagh 59), Kelly; O’Neill, Mulroy (Massey 56).
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
Att: 4,422
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