Bray Wanderers (3) - St Patrick's Athletic (3)

Bray Wanderers 3 - St Patrick's Athletic 3

Jason Byrne nicked a stoppage time goal as Bray Wanderers earned a 3-3 draw at the Carlisle Grounds.

In the first half Byrne and Christy Fagan traded goals, but Bray hit the front again after the restart when John Mulroy scored.

Then the Saints responded as Fagan and a John Russell thunderbolt had the visitors ahead, but Bray struck late on.

Kieran Marty Waters' cross found the unmarked Byrne at the back stick and the veteran scored a leveller.

Pat's passed the ball effectively early on with Chris Forrester, Greg Bolger, and John Russell providing plenty of midfield enterprise.

In the ninth minute Bray custodian Darren Quigley had to be alert when saving a Christy Fagan effort following a Bolger delivery.

The remainder of the opening quarter was simply a tale of Pat's dominating possession without ever threatening Quigley again.

On the half hour mark Quigley had to make another smart stop to thwart John Russell following an exchange with Fagan.

Liam Buckley's side continued to probe with Forrester's splendid touch manufacturing space for Seanie O'Connor, who forced a reflex save from Quigley.

The Saints were motoring smoothly with Ger O'Brien going close with a blistering long range effort as Bray were fortunate to survive a scare.

And then completely against the run of play Bray pounced on defensive hesitancy in the 36th minute to hit the front.

Kieran Marty Waters' left-wing cross caused panic in the Pat's area and Jason Byrne, ever the opportunist, took maximum advantage rifling Bray ahead.

Having ruled so much of the first half Pat's nicked the goal their clever approach work merited in the 44th minute.

Jake Kelly and Ger O'Brien were instrumental in the build up with the ball spilling kindly for Fagan, who rattled the net from 16 yards.

After the restart Russell was still pulling the strings and the former Galway United and Sligo Rovers star fashioned a 49th minute chance for Kelly, who was unable to hit the target from an acute angle.

Bray have been rugged opponents in the past month and they showed how resourceful they are when scoring in the 59th minute.

Sean Houston headed the ball towards John Mulroy who unleashed a glorious shot to beat Brendan Clarke.

The Dubliners responded on 67 when an O'Brien throw-in was controlled by Russell, who centred for Fagan to restore parity.

Man of the match Russell then struck a gorgeous 72nd minute drive after Bolger's initial pass had been blocked.

But Byrne rescued a point for Bray in stoppage time expertly converting Waters' cross as Pat's dropped two points.

© rte.ie

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Bray Wanderers 3 - St Patrick's Athletic 3

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