Robbie Coyle gave Bray Wanderers relegation concerns a much needed lift last night with a crucial goal early in the second-half and at the same time provided their first league win at the Carlisle Grounds for over five months.
Dundalk had the slight advantage coming in to this game but this result now leaves them just a single point ahead. More significantly their lack of creativity on this occasion won't exactly boost their confidence. Bray were also sleepy in the early stages with only Colm Tresson making any real effort to organise the advance from the back.
Barry O'Connor and Stephen Fox had something of a presence also but none of their moments amounted to anything much. Matters were equally dim at the other end. Colm Fortune had a couple of opportunities to avail of some open space around the middle of the field yet John Walsh had little to worry about in goal.
Coyle made the most of the first chance five minutes after the re-start. Tresson crossed the ball from inside the corner of the box and Coyle's well-placed header went low into the corner for his first goal of the season.
Even at that point Dundalk never looked like responding and indeed spent the remainder of the game defending inside their own territory. Dom Tierney and O'Connor continued to cause some problems for Steve Williams in front of goal and Tresson had a fine chance to seal it 12 minutes from time. His chip glided just over the bar although it was fairly clear that the single goal would see them through to the end.
BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh, Tresson, Keogh, Lynch, Doohan, O'Brien, Tierney, O'Connor, C O'Brien, Fox, Coyle. Subs: Smith for O'Brien (67 mins), Dodd for Tierney (87 mins).
DUNDALK: Williams, Reddish, Crawley, Brennan, Brady, Melvin, Campbell, Thew, Ward, Fortune, McNulty. Subs: Harte for Fortune (71 mins), Hoey for Ward (83 mins), Gollogley for Thew (86 mins).
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
