Bray Wanderers 1
Shamrock Rovers 1
SHAMROCK ROVERS PLAYED their get-out-of-jail-free card at the Carlisle Grounds to come from behind and claim a point.
Captain Gary McCabe’s 73rd minute strike from the spot cancelled out Dylan Connolly’s 25th minute opener on a frustrating evening for the Hoops.
They dictated possession but were toothless in attack and had a Bray handball to thank for assisting their goal.
The Rovers defence looked terrified of Connolly’s pace from the off and it was an unselfish pass from Ger Pender that teed the winger for a tap-in.
Pender was one of three replacements used in the first period as Ryan Brennan, Dean Kelly and Killian Brennan all limped off.
Stephen Bradley’s men pinned Bray into their half throughout the entire second period, but not even the introduction of Dublin derby hero Sean Boyd could inspire an ineffective attack.
Ultimately, it required a flailing arm to block Brandon Miele’s shot to finally present Rovers with a chance but the visiting fans left unhappy and uninspired.
McCabe’s strike prevented Peter Cherrie from recording a sixth consecutive clean sheet but the Seagulls will have no complaints about making it six matches without tasting defeat.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Tim Clancy, Conor Kenna, Kevin Lynch; John Sullivan; Karl Moore, Darragh Noone, Ryan Brennan (Mark Salmon, 15), Dylan Connolly; Dean Kelly (Ger Pender, 23).
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Rob Cornwall, Sean Heaney, Gavin Brennan; Brandon Miele, Killian Brennan (Gary McCabe, 27), Pat Cregg, Dean Clarke; Gary Shaw, Aaron Dobbs (Sean Boyd, 57).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.