League Report: Dundalk 0 - 0 Bray Wanderers

Dundalk were left frustrated after being held to a scoreless draw by a hard-working Bray Wanderers side as SSE Airtricity League football returned to Oriel Park on Friday night.

The Lilywhites huffed and puffed, but simply couldn’t break down the Wicklow outfit, who despite being among the favourites for the drop this season, showed that they will certainly not be going down without a fight with Dave Mackey getting off to an excellent start as Bray Wanderers manager.

News broke shortly before kick-off that Republic of Ireland U21 international Sam Byrne, who had been training with Dundalk, signed for the club from Everton on a six-month loan deal while new chairman Mike Treacy, along with chief executive Malachy Brannigan, were both in attendance.

Dundalk started brightly and had the first real chances of the match with Robbie Benson lifting his effort just above the crossbar, before debutant Dean Jarvis perfectly executed a left-footed volley from just outside the box, which soared narrowly wide of new Bray goalkeeper Aaron Dillon’s post.

The hosts again went close when last season’s assist machine Michael Duffy surged down the left flank before pulling the ball back to Benson, who saw his effort saved by the dependable Dillon.

Then came the visitors best spell of the match, with Aaron Greene seeing his effort blocked and deflected over the bar by Stephen Folan, before the impressive Cory Galvin weaved his magic down the left before unleashing a shot which was brilliantly saved by veteran Dundalk keeper Gary Rogers.

Dillon, who was signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers during the week, then produced an excellent save of his own after Jarvis had planted a cross into the path of Benson, who’s shot was somehow saved and tipped over by the Bray custodian as the sides went in level at half-time.

The second period provided less chances as Dundalk continued to control possession for the vast majority but couldn’t break down what was an impeccably organised Bray team, with Dan McKenna clearing from Duffy’s free-kick when Ronan Murray was lurking in the box, waiting to pounce.

Krisztian Adorjan made his League of Ireland introduction from the bench and the Hungarian saw his looping header tipped over by Dillon following another cross from Jarvis, before Benson rifled a shot which sailed agonisingly wide as the hosts went in search of what would have been the decisive goal.

However, it was Bray that almost snatched what would have been a dramatic winner ten minutes from time after some lackadaisical defending from Dundalk allowed the unchallenged Greene to have a pop at goal, forcing an outstanding save from Rogers as the sides settled for a point apiece.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Stephen Folan, Dane Massey, Dean Jarvis; Dylan Connolly (Krisztian Adorjan 60), Chris Shields, Robbie Benson, Michael Duffy; Jamie McGrath (Sam Byrne 81), Ronan Murray (Patrick Hoban 69).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Daniel Cleary, Georgie Poynton, Jack O’Keefe.

Booked: Chris Shields (59), Stephen Folan (87).

Bray Wanderers: Aaron Dillon; Dan McKenna, Hugh Douglas, Sean Heaney, Kevin Lynch; Ronan Coughlan (Daniel Kelly 74), Paul O’Conor, John Sullivan (Darragh Noone 62), Cory Galvin; Gary McCabe, Aaron Greene.

Subs not used: Evan Moran (gk), Dylan Hayes, Ger Pender, Rhys Gorman, Jake Kelly.

Booked: Cory Galvin (24), Kevin Lynch (61).

Referee: Rob Rogers

Attendance: 2,491

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul O’Conor (Bray Wanderers)