Sligo Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

• Alan Dooley
• Tue, Oct 13 2009


Sligo Rovers will be anxious to escape the bottom three tonight at the Showgrounds (kick-off:7.45pm) when they host Bray Wanderers, whose remarkable escape on Friday night has kept them within touching distance of Drogheda United.

Hence, the re-fixing of this tie probably suits both clubs, who could yet face each other in an FAI Cup Final, as it gives both a chance to put pressure on those around them. A win for the home side would see them claw above St. Pat's into seventh, while another three point haul for the Seagulls demotes Drogheda to the basement spot. A draw suits neither side really so a cracking game could be in prospect.

Eleven points from their last six league games means Sligo are the form team in the bottom half of the table. Rafael Cretaro is profiting from finally having a recognised striker to play alongside as Matthew Blinkhorn has certainly had an impact since arriving in July, while Eoin Doyle is revelling in his increased exposure to first team action in the North West. Critically, though, it has been the tightening up of the defence over the last three fixtures - no goals conceded - which has provided the platform for Paul Cook's men to shine.

Bray may have lost their last four games prior to Friday night's heroics against Cork City, but that is all now a distant memory as they salvaged their season thanks to a debatable sending off in their favour and some clinical finishing from an unlikely source in Dave Mulcahy. Eddie Gormley was delighted that the late drama finally went in his side's favour.

"The players showed great character and never say die attitude on Friday night,and it was nice that we were the ones to get the late goals for a change that gave us the three points." The trip to Sligo is a new challenge, though, one which Bray haven't been too successful on in the recent past. Six defeats on the trot at the Showgrounds paints a picture of a club who don't relish the arduous three-hour journey.

Gormley is aware of the history but hopes the spirit shown on Friday will be evident again tonight. "It will be tough up in Sligo, it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us recently. But if we show the same attitude as we did on Friday night we will give ourselves a great chance of getting the three points."

The three previous meetings between the sides have resulted in a home win apiece (2-1 Sligo, 3-1 Bray) and a 2-2 draw in the most recent meeting at the Carlisle Grounds. Cretaro has scored all five of Sligo's goals in these games, while Bray have converted two penalties, had Danny Ventre to thank for their opener in June, and suffered a sending off when Mulcahy was dismissed by Tom Connolly in the 2-2 draw. Given he has opened the scoring in each of the three game to date and is in scintillating form, Cretaro (4/1) looks a tempting bet to bag his fourteenth league effort of the season with tonight's opening goal.

Romauld Boco returns from international duty for Sligo, who will be without Owen Morrison and Richard Brush. Derek Pender (groin) limped off on Friday and will miss out for Bray, who will give late fitness tests to both Gary McCabe and Dave Webster.

extratime.ie Prediction: Sligo to continue on their merry way up the table - 3-1 home win.

Live minute-by-minute coverage of tonight's game will be provided via our Matchtracker service.