League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Dundalk

View Al Robinson's photos from this game

A debut goal from Ciaran Kilduff gave Dundalk a narrow 1-0 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

The new signing from St. Patrick's Athletic came on as a second-half substitute for regular frontman David McMillan and provided the killer touch to a Daryl Horgan cross – the header was a good one and it has to be to beat Peter Cherrie in the Bray goal who was immense on the night and unlucky to be on the losing side against his former club.

Ultimately, despite a resilient performance, Mick Cooke suffered a first defeat in his fifth competitive game in the Seagulls dugout, and his opposite number Stephen Kenny will be happy to have gotten out of here with all three points having watched his side turn in a completely different performance to the one which saw Dundalk crush Bray 8-1 at Oriel Park the last time these two sides met.

Both managers made just a solitary change to the starting line-ups from their respective games last week, with Peter McGlynn – suspended for last week's 1-0 win over Galway United – replacing the injured Adam Hanlon in the Bray XI, while Chris Shields dropped to the bench in favour of Stephen O'Donnell, who wore the armband on the night.

Dundalk had the better of the first-half exchanges but were unable to capitalize on their decent approach play. That said, Wanderers 'keeper Peter Cherrie – himself a former Lilywhite – had to be on his best form to ensure that his record of not conceding a goal since signing for Bray was maintained until at least the half-time interval.

As well as confidently dealing with a number of Dundalk crosses and set-pieces, he made some smart stops to keep his side in the game. In the 37^th minute, Cherrie dashed off his line to block an O'Donnell effort from a through-ball and moments later he had to be alert to beat away a swerving Ronan Finn effort from just outside the box.

However, he was helpless twice in 60 seconds on the stroke of half-time, but he had the crossbar to thank for keeping the game scoreless. First, Finn struck an almost identical shot to his earlier attempt which this time left Cherrie stranded only to rattle the face of the bar and bounce out.

The champions came out determined to get ahead early and almost did through McMillan. Sean Gannon crossed from the right-wing and the former UCD and Sligo Rovers striker headed perfectly goalwards, only for Cherrie to deny him with a reflex stop.

Moments later, Gannon was again involved in creating an even better chance. The full-back got to the byline and cutback perfectly for Towell. The midfielder shaped to shoot with his right but ended up toe-poking it with his left, with the attempt blocked by a well-placed Michael Barker. Horgan side-foot volleyed the rebound well wide.

Dayrl Horgan – a livewire in the first 45 – latched onto the rebound on the left-wing, checked inside onto his right-foot and bent an effort goalward. Again Cherrie was stranded but again it hit the face of the crossbar and Bray had gotten to half-time goalless.

Seagulls striker Chris Lyons then had two decent opportunities in two minutes, the first denied by an Andy Boyle challenge inside the box and the second a blazed attempt over the bar in the penalty area when he had a decent sight of goal.

However, Dundalk were not to be denied and it was their latest striking acquisition who did the damage in the 74^th minute. On for the tiring McMillan, Ciaran Kilduff was just nine minutes into his debut when he rose highest at the backpost to meet a Horgan cross and beat the despairing dive of Cherrie.

Five minutes after conceding and Bray almost had an equalizer through a substitute of their own. David Scully's stooping header from a Gareth McDonagh cross almost caught out Gary Rogers, but the 'keeper got down low to save.

Towell wasted a good chance to make the game save five minutes from time when he ran clear through on goal from the right flank – he hit the net to spark some celebrations from Dundalk fans, but those were silenced instantly when it was confirmed he had hit the side-netting.

It mattered not as Dundalk soaked up the relentless Bray pressure to take all three points and ensure the champions would still remain the team to catch for all the title-pretenders.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; Peter McGlynn (Gareth McDonagh, 76), Graham Kelly, David Cassidy, John Sullivan, Ryan McEvoy; Chris Lyons (David Scully, 68).

Subs not used: Corey Chambers (gk), Daniel O'Reilly, Adam Mitchell, Luke Fitzpatrick, Adam Wixted.

Bookings: Cassidy (69).

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Daryl Horgan, Stephen O'Donnell, Richie Towell, Ronan Finn (Chris Shields, 79), Darren Meenan (John Mountney, 86); David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff, 65).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Shane Grimes, Paddy Barret, Kurtis Byrne.

Bookings: O'Donnell (75).

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 1,200 (est).

Extratime Man of the Match: Peter Cherrie (Bray Wanderers).