Bray Wanderers 2
Finn Harps 3
Dan Gorman reports from the Carlisle Grounds
FINN HARPS SURVIVED a late scare as they claimed three precious points from the 10 men of Bray Wanderers.
Eddie Dsane, Mark Timlin and Ibrahim Keita did the damage for the Donegal men, who should have been home and hosed instead of clinging on at the death.
Dsane may have spurned an earlier chance but he made amends in the 24th minute. Paddy McCourt’s magic set up the chance as he went on a delightful dance down the left flank before releasing a defence-splitting pass. Dsane made no mistake as he drilled home.
Going in 0-1 down at the break wouldn’t have been a crisis for Bray considering the way the match had panned out but 0-2 was a different story. Conor Kenna was harshly penalised for a handball from close range and Bray’s defensive wall generously parted to allow debutant Timlin to make a good impression as he squeezed it through the sizeable gap.
Wanderers had two penalty shouts early in the second half turned away and Anthony Buttimer further endeared himself to the home side when dismissing Cherrie on 63 minutes after he sent Dsane tumbling after the striker had rounded him.
Greene gave Bray a lifeline on 70 minutes. Moore sent a raking pass to the right flank which Coll failed to intercept. That allowed Buckley to take his time and pick out Greene, who tapped home.
It looked like Wanderers were dead in the water with three minutes to spare as Keita glanced home Nathan Boyle’s cross for his first Harps goal — less than 60 seconds after being sprung from the bench.
Before the final whistle, a partially-cleared corner was venomously thumped home by Brennan but the 10 men’s battling efforts fell short.
BRAY WANDERERS: Peter Cherrie; Keith Buckley, Hugh Douglas (Tim Clancy, 31), Conor Kenna, Karl Moore; Darragh Noone, Mark Salmon; Ryan Brennan, Gary McCabe (Jason Marks, H/T), Aaron Greene; Anto Flood (Lee Steacy, 64).
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher; Ethan Boyle, Kilian Cantwell, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Barry Molloy (Gareth Harkin, 79); Caolan McAleer, Paddy McCourt, Sean Houston, Mark Timlin (Johnny Bonner, 73); Eddie Dsane (Ibrahim Keita, 83).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
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