Report: Bray Wanderers 1 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

Bray Wanderers ended their winless run of three games with a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds tonight.

Bray put in a solid defensive performance to keep Rovers at bay after the Seagulls took an early lead. Rovers controlled the game but could not break down the Bray defence, lead by the outstanding Derek Foran.

Bray made the best start possible when they scored inside three minutes. It was Mark Duggan who hit the back of the net, getting his first goal of the season. Alan Cawley's short corner went to Derek Pender and the full-back crossed into the box. The ball was headed out only for Mark Duggan to strike the ball firmly at goal from 25 yards. A deflection off a Rovers defender took the ball past Barry Murphy.

Two minutes later, Rovers went close to equalising following a good one-two between Pádraig Amond and Tadhg Purcell. Amond ran to the goal-line before pulling back for Purcell who shot straight at Alan Gough in the Bray goal.

In the 16th minute, the Hoops had another good chance. From a long ball, Purcell headed the ball on to Amond and his volley was expertly saved by Gough.

On 22 minutes, Rovers went even closer. Alan Murphy played the ball through for Amond and the forward raced clear of the Bray defence. With the goal in his sight, he drove his shot across keeper Gough only for it to strike the far post and go out.

The second half took a while to get going and the first chance came from Rovers in the 58th minute. Pádraig Amond won the ball in the corner and ran along the goal-line before cutting the ball back to the edge of the area for Eric McGill. The midfielder struck the ball low and hard but Gough was on hand to stop the ball and Ronan Ivory cleared.

In the 65th minute, Rovers had a corner on the right. Alan Murphy's corner was headed by Tadhg Purcell but Gough saved once again. Five minutes later, Eoin Doyle's shot was charged down on the edge of the area. Cory Tracey crossed the ball into the box and Amond headed just wide.

Wanderers managed to create a chance in the 80th minute. Andrei Georgescu passed to Duggan and his lob over the defence was enough for Ger Rowe to collect and run at goal. He shot from inside the area but sub Karl Coleman saved well.

In the dying seconds, the Hoops missed a chance to equalise when Barry Ferguson failed to get his effort on target. Eoin Doyle crossed from the left and the ball eventually fell to the unmarked Ferguson but the centre-back's side-footed shot went over.

The game ended soon after and Wanderers go into the mid-season break on 21 points. This was Rovers first defeat in five games and manager Pat Scully will be unhappy that Rovers will go into the break in eighth position on 15 points.

Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Ronan Ivory, Derek Foran, Kevin Doherty, Derek Pender; Paddy Kavanagh (Paul Dunphy 77), Mark Duggan, Alan Cawley, Gavin Whelan; Ger Rowe, Emeka Onwubiko (Andrei Georgescu 69).
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Ray Kenny, Andy Myler.

Bookings: Doherty (38), Ivory (53)

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy (Karl Coleman 46); Corie Tracey, Barry Ferguson, Danny O'Connor, Mark Langtry (Eoin Doyle 68); Sean O'Connor, Eric McGill, Alan Murphy, Derek Tyrell (O‘Brien ‘63); Tadhg Purcell, Padraig Amond.
Subs not used: David Vickery, Paul Sharry.

Bookings: D O’Connor (60), Doyle (88)

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Attendance: 2,300 (estimate).

Man of the match: Derek Foran (Bray Wanderers).