Bray Wanderers 0 Finn Harps 1:FINN HARPS took a giant step towards retaining their Premier Division status next season when striker Stephen Parkhouse slotted home an 82nd minute penalty to move them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Victory was fully deserved for Paul Hegarty's team against a disappointing Bray side who have now collected just eight points from their last 12 league games.
It is just as well the Seagulls had such a great start to the campaign or they too could have relegation problems. Finn Harps did have a chance on the half hour when a long range free deep on the left by Shaun Holmes set up a chance for defender Marc Mukendi. But his header was comfortably saved by Bray keeper Alan Gough.
The Donegal men should really have taken the lead on 37 minutes when a superb through ball from Gary Beckett allowed Parkhouse to out-pace defender Ray Kenny down the middle. But the striker's final effort was brilliantly blocked by the advancing Gough.
Bray also had chances when first Daryl Robson played a perfect ball to defender Derek Pender. But his close-range effort was blocked by keeper James Gallagher with Mukendi completing the clearance.
Bray suffered a set-back on 54 minutes when Pender was shown the red card by Limerick referee Mark Gough for a second bookable offence. But it was Parkhouse who was to have the final say with that 82nd minute winner when cooly sending Gough the wrong way with a perfectly taken penalty after Mark Duggan had fouled Neill McCafferty inside the box.
BRAY WANDERERS:Gough; Whelan, Doherty, Kenny, Pender; Kavanagh, Robson, Duggan, Cronin; Kelly (OKeefe 85), Rowe (Myler 85).
FINN HARPS:Gallagher; Mukendi, Labonte, Boyle, Holmes; Funston, McGowan, McCafferty, Breen (Tyrell 87); Parkhouse, Beckett (Gethins 75).
Referee:Mark Gough (Limerick)
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