ST JAMES'S GATE ended leaders Bray Wanderers' unbeaten record with their first win in nine games to get their own promotion, push going at the Iveagh Grounds last night.

Albert Crowley finally brought the game to life with a set piece opening goal four minutes into the second half. A Eugene Lawless free kick was cleverly headed back across goal by Alan Smith, and Crowley, unmarked, swivelled to drive the ball past Pat Trehy from eight yards.

Six minutes later another fine goal put St James's Gate well in command.

Paul Byrne's delightful back heel set up Philip Power, making his first start of the season following a bad knee injury, and he beat Trehy with a volley from 15 yards.

Power should have increased St Jame's Gate's lead on 67 minutes but blazed the ball over the bar after Trehy had done well to parry a powerful Lee king shot.

Longford Town, were forced to change keepers twice during their 2-1 home defeat to Waterford United last night.

Regular goalkeeper Aidan Smyth carried an injury into the game and was unable to continue at half time. His replacement, midfielder Glen Maheady, had to pick the ball out of the net within six minutes of the restart when a Gary Coad free kick gave Waterford the lead. But within a minute, Maheady dislocated his shoulder and player/manager John Cleary went between the posts.

Waterford availed of Longford's misfortune to make it 2-0 through Richie Hale on 86 minutes before Fran Sheridan scored for Longford in the final minute.