Bray Wanderers 2
Shamrock Rovers 2
EVEN BY THEIR own plucky standards, Bray Wanderers have shown remarkable character and resolve throughout a turbulent season and they moved one step closer to safety this evening.
John Sullivan’s header, deep into injury time, completed an improbable turnaround to snatch a point when a Shamrock Rovers victory by the seaside appeared to be a mere formality.
Michael Drennan and Maxime Blanchard handed the visitors’ a comfortable half-time advantage but Bray hit back through Hugh Douglas and then Sullivan to end a three-game losing streak.
The Seagulls had hauled themselves up the table with a purposeful charge but they had fallen away in recent weeks and were in serious danger of being dragged into the red zone.
So this point will very much feel like all three. It means they are four points clear of Drogheda with two games remaining.
Pat Fenlon will be wondering how his side threw it away as they spurned the opportunity to overtake Cork City and move into second behind Dundalk. European football is all but secured but a strong finish to the season would at least represent an improvement on last year.
They got off to the perfect start at the Carlisle Grounds as Drennan’s free-kick broke the deadlock after nine minutes.
The former Aston Villa striker turned provider shortly before the interval as Blanchard met his corner to double the Hoops’ advantage and put them in complete control.
However, Bray weren’t prepared to lie down and found a route back into the contest through Douglas’ header 20 minutes from time.
And after knocking on the door, eventually got their reward in the 96th when Ryan McEvoy’s set-piece was finished by Sullivan.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie, Michael Barker, Hugh Douglas, Niall Cooney, Alan McNally, David Cassidy, John Sullivan, Graham Kelly, Adam Hanlon, Ryan McEvoy, David Scully.
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy, Maxime Blanchard, Simon Madden, David Webster, David O’Connor, Gary McCabe, Pat Cregg, Gavin Brennan, Brandon Miele, Michael Drennan, Danny North.
Originally published on 17 October at 8.47pm
