First Division Playoff Final Report: Bray Wanderers 2 - 2 Athlone Town AET (Bray win 4-2 on penalties)
Bray Wanderers are 90 minutes away from a Premier Division return after coming from 2-0 down to see off Athlone Town in the First Division playoff final.
The Seagulls will now face FAI Cup finalists Drogheda United in the promotion/relegation final on November 16 at Richmond Park.
But it looked as though Wanderers campaign was going to end in heartache after a dismal first half display at Dalymount Park.
The Co Wicklow side fell 2-0 behind to Athlone and were deservedly trailing the contest.
Wonderful ball from Robinson and Ebbe heads Athlone into an early lead!#LOITV | #BRYATHpic.twitter.com/xmCBFzUNpI
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2024
Dean Ebbe opened the scoring early on when he met Kyle Robinson’s wicked delivery from the right flank after a set-piece broke down.
Dario Castelo’s side doubled their lead soon after when German Fuentes-Rodriguez also headed home.
Another Robinson delivery and another header!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2024
Athlone Town are looking comfortable as German Fuentes puts them 2-0 up in the Play-Off Final #LOITV | #BRYATHpic.twitter.com/t2AT5yatQR
The Seagulls - backed by a healthy travelling contingent in Dublin 7 among the 1,872 spectators - had to react and they did in the second period.
John O’Sullivan’s cross was turned into the Athlone Town net by Dylan Hand - with the Bray support reinvigorated by their side’s resurrection.
Bray drive forward and force an own goal!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2024
We've got a game on our hands #LOITV | #BRYATHpic.twitter.com/UitWI4mzBF
But they had to wait until the dying embers of the game in injury time when Cole Omorehiomwan headed in a deserved leveller.
Extra-time passed with both teams missing big opportunities, and a penalty shootout followed.
Late, late drama at Dalymount! Extra-time beckons!#LOITV | #BRYATHpic.twitter.com/NC4oVlEQnk
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2024
And it was there where keeper Jimmy Corcoran was the hero as he saved from Aaron Connolly and Armado Oakley - with O’Sullivan scoring the winning effort for the Seagulls.
John O'Sullivan's winning moment for @BrayWanderers
The Seagulls will be at Richmond Park on November 16th!#LOITV | #BRYATHpic.twitter.com/u5CThjGEFt
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2024