Report: UCD 2-2 Bray Wanderers

Despite taking the lead towards the end of the first half, UCD needed a late penalty to draw level with visitors Bray Wanderers at Belfield tonight.

The empty seats in the press area suggested that there may have been a higher profile game on elsewhere in the city, however those in attendance where served up an exciting end to end game by two sides that were anxious to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Pat McWalter headed the home side into the lead only for Derek Foran and Gavin Whelan to put the Seagulls two-one up with a little over ten minutes remaining. An late Alan Mahon penalty then earned UCD a draw.

McWalter broke with pace and purpose through the middle for the Students early on. He fed Shane Fitzgerald, but the pacy winger was forced wide and the chance was gone. Alan Cawley fired a free kick over the top, and he then provided the cross for Kevin Doherty to go close with a header.

Paddy Kavanagh, playing in a wide midfield role, had a shot from distance clear Matt Greggs crossbar. Timmy Purcell was played in on goal from a clever Brian King pass, but a late flag declared him offside. Shortly after that UCD had a great chance to take the lead.

Fitzgerald chipped a lovely ball over the top for Ronan Finn. The covering defender got his head to it but only flicked it into the air. Finn continued his run and waited for the ball to drop before hitting it on the volley - unfortunately he dragged it across the face of goal and it ended up a yard of so wide.

Cawley tried his luck from distance again, he got this one on target, but Gregg saved it comfortably. Conor Kenna then headed narrowly wide at the back post from a corner kick. Shortly after that Purcell called Alan Gough into action with a right footed effort from the edge of the box - Gough tipped the swerving shot over the top.

Fitzgerald intercepted a wayward cross field pass on the half hour mark and would have been able to get a shot off but for Derek Pender getting across and making an important tackle.

Eight minutes before the break UCD took the lead. After a couple of minutes of pressure Bermingham curled a left footed free kick into the box and McWalter rose unchallenged before heading into the roof of the net. It was a powerful header but perhaps Gough should have done better. Bray had the chance to equalise immediately. Kavanagh had a close range effort well saved by Gregg, Cawley followed up on the rebound but his powerful first time shot was deflected for a corner.

Early in the second half Purcell turned neatly but his shot went wide of Goughs upright. Finn then picked up possession on the left just outside the box and beat his man. He sent a dangerous cross into the box from the byline but UCD had no one on hand to apply the finishing touches.

Bray struck level on the hour mark. Doherty flicked on a Cawley corner and Foran was waiting unmarked at the back post, where he smashed a first time shot into the net.

Some last ditch defending from Pender and Doherty denied UCD a second goal midway through the half. Foran then under hit a headed back pass that McWalter chased. He beat Gough to the ball and from a tight angle tried to pick out a teammate with a cutback. The ball eventually came to Fitzgerald but his low shot from just inside the box was blocked on the six yard line.

Against the run of play, Bray went ahead with just twelve minutes left on the clock. Cawley again provided the assist from a corner, and Whelan headed home at the front post. Poor defending by UCD again cost them dear.

The games fourth and final goal came in the eighty fifth minute. Foran made a rash tackle in the box on Fitzgerald, getting nowhere near the ball. Amazingly, referee Connolly saw nothing wrong with the challenge and only awarded a penalty upon instruction from his assistant Cunningham. Mahon stepped up and converted for his second goal of the season.

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon (Greg Bolger 90), Conor Kenna, Alan McNally, Ian Bermingham; Shane Fitzgerald, Brian King, Ronan Finn (Evan McMillan 81), Derek Doyle; Timmy Purcell, Pat McWalter (Paul Byrne 80).
Subs not used: Billy Brennan, John Reilly.

Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Ronan Ivory, Kevin Doherty, Derek Foran, Derek Pender; Gavin Whelan, Colm Tresson (Gary McCabe 59), Alan Cawley, Paddy Kavanagh; Paul Dunphy (Emeka Onwubiko 59), Ger Rowe.
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Ray Kenny, Andy Myler.

Sent Off: McCabe (90+5).

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Attendance: 320