Bray Wanderers - 1 Bohemians - 3:NATIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:An utterly dominant second half display restored Bohemians' seven-point leadership as Bray's tactical organisation and energy was simply not enough against the superior ability of their visitors.
Having matched them in the first half, and taken an early lead, Bray had no answer to Bohemians wingers Mark Rutherford and Bobby Ryan after the break as they played key roles in turning the match in their side's favour.
Rutherford scored the crucial second goal made by Ryan, who then won a penalty that Simon Webb could afford to miss.
Surviving Bohemians' early onslaught intact, Bray settled the better and their tenacity, particularly in midfield, brought its reward on 17 minutes. Eamon Zayed was fouled in an unpromising position on the left-hand edge of the Bohemians box.
Jason Byrne struck a sublime right-footed free-kick over the wall - catching Ashley Bayes slightly off his line - and to the roof of the net.
Forced into chasing the game, Bohemians doggedly applied themselves and equalised on 34 minutes. Colm Tresson's headed clearance from Webb's left wing cross lacked the power to clear his box and Bohemians' captain Kevin Hunt struck the loose ball first time, the low shot flying into the bottom right-hand corner of the apparently unsighted Walsh's net.
There was an inevitability about Bohemians' lead when it came on 69 minutes. Ryan turned superbly to sweep the ball wide to Paul Keegan. Ryan missed the cross but Rutherford was rushing in behind him to apply the finish.
Ryan won a penalty within two minutes when brought down by Maurice Farrell, but Webb shot his spot kick wide off an upright.
The points were secured within another further three minutes when Crowe availed of a slip by Walsh, who thought he had gathered Colin Hawkins' header from a corner, to force the ball over the line.
BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; O'Hanlon, Tresson, Doohan; O'Reilly, Keogh, O'Connor (Forsyth 78 mins), Farrell (Gormley 74 mins); Byrne, Zayed (Morgan 78 mins), Flood.
BOHEMIANS: Bayes; O'Connor, Coughlan, Hawkins, Webb (Reilly 83 mins); Ryan (Harkin 87 mins), Caffrey, Hunt, Rutherford; Keegan (O'Neill 90 mins), Crowe.
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork)
