FINN HARPS 1-0 BRAY WANDERERS:FINN HARPS recorded their first home win since March as they defeated Bray Wanderers in an absorbing Premier Division clash at Finn Park last night.
With UCD losing to Cork City, this result means that Finn Harps now climb out of the relegation zone. Injury plagued Harps were once again forced to make a number of changes and Paul Hegarty's selection plans were hampered by the fact that Shaun Holmes, Shaun Williams and Stuart Malcolm were suspended.
Gary Beckett, who made his debut during the week against Bohemians, is back on the injury treatment table. On a brighter note, Stephen Parkhouse returned and was deployed in midfield with Kevin Ramsay and Conor Gethins in attack. When the sides met earlier this season, Bray secured a vital 1-0 win that effectively kick-started their season.
Since then Bray have climbed to relative mid-table security. Harps began the brighter and forced three corners in the opening 15 minutes. Declan Boyle headed over from a good position while Bray netminder Alan Gough was called upon to make early stops from Chris Breen and Gethins.
Finn Harps made the breakthrough in the 34th minute when Mark Mukendi's free was flicked on by Parkhouse and Gethins deftly slipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to delight the home fans in the smallest crowd of the season.
While Finn Harps continued to hold the upper hand in the second half an exciting finish saw Emeka Onwubiko have a goal disallowed for Bray for offside and Ger Rowe hit the woodwork while Gethins twice went close to adding to Finn Harps' tally.
FINN HARPS:Cullen, Roddy, Funston, Boyle, Mukendi, McGowan, Breen (Gill 89), Parkhouse, Ramsey (Bonner 85), Gethins, Brolly.
BRAY WANDERERS:Gough, Cronin, Foran, Whelan, Kavanagh (Myler 89), Cawley, Georgscu (Onwubiko 57), Kenny, Dunphy (Coughlan 69), Pender, Rowe.
Referee:T Connolly (Dublin).
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