A cleverly worked set piece goal from Jason Byrne gave Bray Wanderers the lift their return to the Premier Division needed at Tolka Park and, in the process, dampened Shamrock Rovers' start to the season.
Byrne, from Tallaght, is a first cousin of Robbie Keane and Keane would be more than happy to score a similar winning goal against Croatia this afternoon.
It came from Bray's first corner of the match, in the 54th minute. Pat O'Brien played the ball back to Phil Keogh, whose cross was met by Byrne to score with a powerful header.
Rovers dictated the game early and Bray goalkeeper Alan Kane had to produce a candidate for save of the season to keep out a stinging 20 yard volley from Marc Kenny in the 23rd minute after Jody Lynch had cleared Britton's cross straight to the Rovers mid fielder.
Bray were well in the game, however, and were dangerous on the occasions they got forward.
Rovers chased the game hard after falling behind nine minutes into the second half but, save for a Richie Purdy header that was inches over the crossbar, they failed miserably to breakdown a resolute Bray defence.
Shamrock Rovers: Forde; Britton, Braz il, Whelan, Dunne; Colwell, Purdy, Kenny, Tracey; Cousins, Sherlock. Subs: Woods for Colwell (67), Morrisroe for Dunne (78).
Bray Wanderers: Kane; Tresson, Lynch, Mckeever; P O'Brien, O'Connor, Smyth, Fox, Keogh; Ryan, Byrne. Subs: Dodd for Fox (74), K O'Brien for Byrne (78).
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
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