St Patrick's inflict further misery on Wanderers

National League Premier Division/Bray Wanderers 1 St Patrick's Athletic 2: First league goals of the season from Mark Quigley…

National League Premier Division/Bray Wanderers 1 St Patrick's Athletic 2: First league goals of the season from Mark Quigley and Keith Fahey ensured St Patrick's ended their run of three straight defeats to inflict further woe on Bray, who have now taken just one point from their last five games.

Four changes, including the introduction of debutants William Murphy and Andy Cousins, scarcely disrupted Bray as a delightful move came within inches of giving them the lead on seven minutes.

Colin Vint and Robbie Doyle combined to play Andre Georgescu through on goal only for the Romanian to see his clever chip from 30 yards come back off the St Patrick's crossbar.

The woodwork was rattled again five minutes later, though this time at the other end, as Trevor Molloy's header from Michael Foley's free kick also came back off the bar.

READ MORE

There was no further reprieve for Bray, however, as St Patrick's took the lead on 19 minutes. Michael Foley was sent to the end line by Fahey and the cross was rifled to the net by Quigley.

The quick feet of Georgescu remained a threat for Bray and he showed good skill again on 36 minutes to skip past Darragh Maguire only to shoot straight at Barry Ryan.

St Patrick's remained the more dangerous side going forward, though, and Quigley cushioned a header that looped just over the bar from another Foley delivery a minute later.

Dave Mulcahy should have put St Patrick's two up a minute before the break but scuffed his shot at O'Connor having done the hard work of weaving the chance with the assistance of Quigley.

But score again St Patrick's did on 59 minutes when Fahey rose unchallenged to head home John Frost's excellent cross.

Georgescu got Bray back into the match when rewarded for a lively display. Cousins won the ball and worked a one-two off Stephen Fox to supply Georgescu, who beat Stephen Brennan before lobbing Ryan from 20 yards.

BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Tresson, McGovern, W Tyrrell (M Roche 56 mins), Murphy; Doyle, Cousins, Fix, Ryan (D Tyrrell 67 mins); Georgescu, Vint (O'Brien 74 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; S Quigley (C Foley 87 mins), Brennan, Maguire, Frost; Fahey (O'Connor 78 mins), Mulcahy, M Foley, Rutherford; M Quigley (Armstrong 74 mins), Molloy.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork)