Bray Wanderers 2
Sligo Rovers 1
Dan Gorman reports from the Carlisle Grounds
DEFENDER SEAN HEANEY blasted Bray Wanderers on social media on Tuesday but he fired them to three points on Sunday in front of just 271 spectators at the Carlisle Grounds.
He nodded home the winner 14 minutes from time as the Seagulls forgot about their financial worries to move to within six points of Limerick, just five days after announcing they would accept bids for all of their players.
Ger Pender’s first goal of the season had handed the hosts the lead in the first half but Adam Wixted levelled early in the second period, before Heaney’s decisive effort secured all three points.
There was a wonderful opportunity for Bray to strike first blood after eight minutes. Pender released Jake Ellis who did the hard part in fending off Sligo captain Kyle McFadden, but then squandered the chance as he squeezed his shot wide of the far post.
Within three minutes, it was Rovers who had their head in their hands. Regan Donnelan sent a searching pass towards Mikey Drennan.
Bray seemed convinced an offside would be awarded and stalled before Heaney stepped in to take control, but his pass intended for Moran went straight to winger Drennan.
Fortunately for Heaney, Drennan couldn’t profit on his return to the League of Ireland as he steered wide.
On 15 minutes there was another lack of an offside flag but this time there were more severe consequences. Rhys Gorman chipped over the top for Ger Pender.
Sligo stood and waited for a flag that never arrived so Pender had an age to take a touch and fire past Mitchell Beeney.
A thunderbolt from David Cawley forced Moran into a fine save but the shot-stopper would be beaten in the 55th minute as Cretaro’s exquisite cross to the back post was nodded home by ex-Seagull Wixted.
The forward had a wonderful chance to turn the match in Rovers’ favour as Lewis Morrison’s perfectly-weighted pass found him but he blasted straight at Moran.
Two minutes later Bray had found the winner. Gorman delivered a free kick from the left and Heaney glanced it home to record just his side’s fifth win of 2018.
Bray Wanderers: Evan Moran; Sean Harding, Conor Kenna,Sean Heaney, Kevin Lynch (Dragos Mamaliga, H/T); Craig Walsh, Paul O’Conor, Rhys Gorman Daniel Kelly; Ger Pender (Jake Kelly, 59), Jake Ellis (Byron O’Gorman, 70).
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; Seamus Sharkey, Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Refan Donelon; Caolan McAleer (Kris Twardek, 69), Rhys McCabe, David Cawley, Adam Wixted; Raffaele Cretaro (Liam Kerrigan, 77); Mikey Drennan (Lewis Morrison, 65).
Referee: Robert Hennessy.
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