A DRAB AND nervy affair at the Carlisle Grounds burst into life in the second half as Shelbourne and Bray played out a 1-1 draw in a game both really could have done with winning.
Shelbourne came into the game on the back of three consecutive wins and it was the away side who had the better of the early exchanges with Bray ‘Keeper Darren Quigley doing well to deny Sean Brennan after the Shels player looked to get behind the Bray defence.
It was to prove to be the highlight of a first half where the home side seemed content to let Shels keep possession and neither team offered much in the way penetration.
However, the game kicked into life early in the second half when John Mulroy flicked a Dean Zambra free kick into the path of Jason Byrne and the Bray striker did what he does best, rifling home close range on 50 minutes.
Byrne could have doubled his side’s lead nine minutes later when a massive goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball hitting Lee Murphy’s upright.
It would take another 15 minutes for Shelbourne to force their way back into the game though and, once again, a set-piece would prove key.
A Brennan free from the left hand side was met by the head of Dean Kelly and the forward’s effort gave Quigley no chance in the Bray goal.
With both teams realising a draw would do little to help their battle against relegation, the game swung from end to end but neither side could find the quality to muster any really clear cut opportunities and the match would finish one apiece.
The result means that both sides move on to 20 points, two clear of Bohemians who prop up the table.
