AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Bray Wanderers 1 Drogheda Utd 3:TITLE CHASERS Drogheda United narrowed the gap on leaders Sligo Rovers to six points with a deserved win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.
Bray created the better chances early on, striker John Mulroy, Adam Mitchell, Dean Zambra and Marty Waters all going close in the first quarter while Daire Doyle fired a shot against the woodwork after 42 minutes. But Drogheda grabbed a precious lead on 46 minutes as defender Eric Foley let fly with a marvellous left-foot volley from 30 yards into the roof of the net.
Bray went close to an equaliser when a Waters cross from the left deflected off Philip Hand to hit the post but they were level on 69 minutes. An Adam Hanlon cross from the right was nodded home by fellow substitute Dean Marshall at the far post. But Bray’s joy was short-lived as Drogheda regained the lead on 73 minutes after Adam Hanlon fouled Hand inside the area. Declan O’Brien made no mistake with the resulting penalty.
Bray’s Kevin O’Connor was sent off before Drogheda sealed the win on 82 minutes when Jason Marks tapped home after O’Brien’s free was only parried by Quigley.
BRAY WANDERERS: D Quigley; S OConnor, D OConnor, Mitchell, Massey; Houston (Marshall, 68 mins), Doyle (Hanlon, 68 mins), Zambra, K.OConnor, Waters; Mulroy (Akinade, 84 mins).
DROGHEDA UNITEDSava; Gannon, Foley (Sullivan, 68 mins), Prendergast, Hand; R Brennan (Marks, 75 mins), Crowley, S Brennan, Byrne; OBrien, Hynes (Brady, 87 mins).
Referee: R Rogers(Dublin).
