Bray Wanderers 1
St Patrick’s Athletic 0
LIFE WITHOUT MICK Cooke began beautifully for Bray Wanderers as Ger Pender’s 44th minute strike lifted them out of the bottom two.
Harry Kenny was caretaker manager for the evening and he can now boast a 100% record as Pender seized on a loss of possession by St Patrick’s Athletic just shy of the interval and his neat finish earned the Seagulls their second league victory of the season.
It was a night to forget for the visitors as defender Sean Hoare finished his shift in nets after Brendan Clarke’s 92nd minute dismissal.
Prior to the opener, Peter Cherrie had magnificently tipped a tremendous dipping volley over the crossbar.
Wanderers had the chance to seal it with 11 minutes remaining as Dylan Connolly raced clear and squared for Andrew Lewis but he blazed over from six yards.
Liam Buckley thought his side had salvaged a point when hesitation from Hugh Douglas allowed Jamie McGrath to lob Cherrie but after clipping the underside of the crossbar, Doughas recovered and somehow nodded it to safety.
And it was goodnight Irene in the 92nd minute when Clarke’s attempt to dribble out saw him lose it and he hauled down Lewis in desperation.
With all three subs used, Hoare deputised for the final moments as Pat’s failed to reclaim third.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Conor Kenna (C), Sean Harding; Karl Moore, Robbie Creevy (Alan Byrne, 30), Ryan Brennan, Dylan Connolly (Jason Marks, 86); Ger Pender (Gareth McDonagh, 81), Andrew Lewis.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Michael Barker, Sean Hoare, Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham; Graham Kelly, David Cawley; Conan Byrne (Dylan McGlade, 72), Mark Timlin (Jamie McGrath, 61), Billy Dennehy; Christy Fagan (Dinny Corcoran, 52).
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