Rovers miss chance to bridge gap

Bray Wanderers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0: Shamrock Rovers had two players dismissed in a bad tempered affair at the Carlisle Ground as their title push hit a major stumbling block.

Goalkeeper Barry Murphy and Paul Shiels both received their marching orders within five minutes of each other before half-time as the red mist descended.

Bray's numerical advantage paid dividends in the 54th minute when Alan Cawley, back from suspension,  fired the Wicklow side in front.

Rovers kept Bray at bay until 10 minutes from time when Clive Delaney doubled the home side's advantage before James O'Shea made sure of the points a minute later.

The result leaves Rovers eight adrift of leaders Drogheda United with time running out to mount a serious challenge.