St Patrick's Athletic (1) - Bray Wanderers (1)

Match Report

St Patrick's Athletic 1 - Bray Wanderers 1

A Mark Quigley goal saved the blushes of Johnny McDonnell's side in Richmond Park last night as the Saints rescued a point against Bray Wanderers, but missed out on the chance to regain top spot ahead of Bohemians.

At times the slick passing and incisive breaks of Pat's threatened to overrun the Seagulls' defence, but for every chance created there was another three missed as the Saints paid the price for a lack of precision in front of goal.

They may have played second fiddle for much of the game, but Bray proved to have the jump on an injury-plagued Pat's side and eight minutes after the break Alan Cawley's corner was delivered onto the forehead of the towering Kevin Doherty who rose above the home defence. Paul Dunphy stole in at the back post to divert the ball over the line.

Mark Quigley, Ryan Guy and Bobby Ryan were all guilty of squandering chances with Guy twice denied by superb Chris O'Connor stops late in the game. Guy was also unlucky to see a 25-yard drive fly off the crossbar.

Quigley, though, did manage to convert one of his chances as he stole in at the back post nine minutes from time to plant a header into the net.

The Seagulls lived largely off scraps, but they produced a classic smash-and-grab away performance defending stoutly and making the most of their chances. One shot on target. One goal. One point.

© www.independent.ie