Bray Wanderers 2 - 3 Derry City

Derry City recorded their third consecutive away victory to move within three points of the top of the table with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in horrendous conditions on Friday evening.

Rory Patterson struck either side of half-time after Ismahil Akinade had cancelled out Patrick McEleney’s thirteenth minute opener to send the Candystripes into the mid-season break within touching distance of leaders St. Patrick’s Athletic at the summit.

With his side in such fine form there was no surprise Pat Devlin opted to stick with the same players who defeated UCD last time out as Ishmahil Akinade recovered from a calf complaint to start on the right.

However, the hosts found themselves on the back foot from the first whistle as they were forced to battle the horrendous conditions as well as a Derry outfit who started with purpose and intensity.

With the wind and rain sweeping across the ground, the Foylesiders looked to test the handling of Darren Quigley at every opportunity and they were nearly rewarded in the sixth minute. Kevin Deery needed no second invitation to try his luck from range and after the Bray ‘keeper spilled the greasy ball, Rory Patterson was flagged offside as his follow-up attempt struck the post.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to make their possession count as they hit the front in the thirteenth minute. Simon Madden’s cross from the right was flicked on by Patterson into the path of McEleney who slide in to divert it low past Quigley.

As the first half progressed, the Seagulls found their passing game and the in-form Jason Byrne stung the fingertips of Ger Doherty from the edge of the area after crisp approach play. But the visitors didn’t take note of the warning as the Seagulls drew level minutes later.

David Webster’s fierce free-kick was brilliantly tipped over by Doherty but from the resulting corner, Akinade got away from his marker to head home.

At the other end, Deery once again called Quigley into action from long range but the Bray shot stopper was equal to the challenge as he palmed the midfielder’s effort to safety despite the presence of Patterson.

It wasn’t long before Declan Devine’s side restored their lead in first-half injury time. The Bray defence failed to deal with Barry McNamee’s centre and the unmarked Patterson was on hand to fire home.

And the Candystripes doubled their lead six minutes after the interval as former Seagull Paddy Kavanagh created space on the right before his low cross was clinically converted by Patterson.

However, Bray have showed great spirit and determination in recent weeks and got themselves back into the game shortly before the hour mark.

Declan Devine introduced Stewart Greacen at the break in an attempt to tighten up at the back but the centre-back was helpless to prevent Zambra’s corner be somehow finding its way into the net via a deflection.

The rain finally stopped as the game went on but Bray’s search for an equaliser was relentless. The Derry defence was caught out by Byrne’s flick on and after making a brilliant surge from midfield, Gary Dempsey could only steer his effort inches wide with only Doherty to beat.

The Foylesiders simply couldn’t deal with the lively Seagulls attack as Byrne went close twice before Waters fired straight at Doherty with a quarter remaining.

The introduction of Sean Houston allowed McNamee to get forward and he went close to sealing the victory for the Candystripes but his diving header went the wrong side of the upright.

As the clock ticked towards ninety minutes, the Derry defence dropped deeper and deeper but the home side couldn’t muster enough late pressure to find a leveller and extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.

Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; Daire Doyle (Kevin O’Connor 85), David Webster, Shane O’Connor, Conor Earley; Ismahil Akinade (Kevin Knight 58), Dean Zambra, Gary Dempsey, Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters; John Mulroy; Jason Byrne.
Subs not used: Sean Holmes, Danny O’Connor, Peter Thomas, Adam Mitchell, Sean Hurley.

Booked: None.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Ryan McBride (Stewart Greacen 46), Barry McNamee; Patrick McEleney (Michael Rafter 90+1), Ruaidhri Higgins, Kevin Deery, Michael Duffy (Sean Houston 66), Patrick Kavanagh; Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: James Gallagher, Mark Griffin, Ryan Curran, Raymond Foy.

Booked: Rory Patterson (61)

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Patterson (Derry City).