Eddie Gormley began his birthday celebrations 48 hours early with both goals as Bray Wanderers returned to winning ways to inflict further problems on rock-bottom side Galway United.
Midfielder Gormley, 33 tomorrow, blasted home a trademark penalty 10 minutes into the second half of a dour game before adding a second four minutes later with a rare header.
The brightest thing about the first half was provided from above as the sun split a clear blue October sky. On the field it was a case of missed chances at either end.
Bray's main threat came from Gormley corners, with Barry O'Connor and Mick Doohan, twice, failing to find the target with firm headers.
It was left to central defender Wes Charles to provide the only bit of flair in the half five minutes before the break. Skipping over two tackles down the right, Charles played a one-two with Davy Williamson to pick out Jason Byrne in front of goal. But the striker mis-cued his shot and the ball bounced over the crossbar.
Bray were almost left to rue that miss as Galway wasted their only real chance of the first period two minutes later. Bobby Ryan's free-kick in from the left wasn't cleared and captain Billy Clery was left to hold his head in his hands after shooting the loose ball straight into the arms of John Walsh.
It all fell into place for Bray on 55 minutes when Clery handled a cross from Williamson and Gormley shot home from the spot.
Williamson then provided the deep cross to the back post for Gormley to head his second.
BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Britton, Doohan, Charles, Farrell, Williamson, Morgan, Fox, Gormley, O'Connor, Byrne. Subs: O'Brien for Williamson (78 mins), Keogh for Gormley (81), Lynch for Britton (89).
GALWAY UNITED: Cobey; Clery, Keady, Silke, Ryan, Sheridan, Murphy, Herrick, Quirke, O'Shaughnessy, Forde. Subs: Keogh for Forde (60 mins), Keane for O'Shaughnessy (68), B Byrne for Quirke (79).
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford)
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