Sligo Rovers ... 0 Bray Wanderers ... 2 Barry O'Connor and Jason Byrne ended Sligo Rovers' dreams of a good run in the FAI Cup in this gripping game at the Showgrounds last night.
O'Connor headed past the Sligo Rovers goalkeeper, John Healy, from Eddie Gormley's corner in the 64th minute and the ever-dangerous Byrne finally came good with the winner in the 75th minute. A Maurice Farrell throw was headed into the path of Byrne, who made no mistake with his effort.
Bray Wanderers shaded the play in the first half but they failed to capitalise on their limited chances.
Byrne was through on goal after three minutes but the Sligo goalkeeper was equal to the task when saving rather hesitantly. Mark Hutchison shot narrowly wide of the visitor's goal in the 20th minute and Gormley did no better with a long-range effort at the other end.
Bray missed a great goal chance in the 35th minute when O'Connor shot wide from six yards. The best efforts of Sligo's Raphael Cretaro and Gareth Gorman failed to unhinge the visitor's defence as Sligo piled on the pressure.
SLIGO ROVERS: Healy; Rossiter, O'Donoghue (McLoughlin 77 mins), Hutchison, Feeney, Brady, Gavin (McTiernan 68 mins), Dolan, O'Dowd, Cretaro, Gorman.
BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; Tresson, Britton (Farrell 29 mins), Lynch, Gormley, O'Connor, Keogh, Fox, Byrne, Long (Charles 87 mins).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)
