Bray Wanderers 1-0 Derry City
Friday, 18 April 2008 22:49It proved lucky 13 for Bray Wanderers as they handed Derry City their first Premier Division defeat of the season.
Having failed to beat City in their previous 12 League matches, Clive Delaney's return to his former club was an unhappy one as he saw red for a last-man challenge on Ger Rowe at the Carlisle Grounds.
From Gerard Doherty's 74th minute goal-kick, Paddy Kavanagh header's sent Ger Rowe racing clear between Delaney and Peter Hutton.
The subsequent foul left referee Anthony Buttimer with little choice but to dismiss the giant defender.
Alan Cawley then stepped up to crash the spot-kick in off the underside of the crossbar.
The irony was that Wanderers had felt hard done by from two decisions in the past fortnight when Finn Harps and Bohs were awarded debateable spot-kick's.
Yet, the ten-men almost snatched an injury-time equaliser.
Substitute Niall McGinn got past Derek Pender along the left wing and crossed. But with the goal at his mercy, Gareth McGlynn was unable to get the vital touch.
The Seagulls had gone close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
Kevin Doherty's lofted ball into the box was headed clear. Whelan nodded back but Rowe's first time right footed 15-yard half volley was parried by Gerard Doherty.
Derry's best opportunity arrived just after the restart.
Conor Sammon latched onto McGlynn's clipped pass down the right channel. He held off Doherty with Chris O'Connor making a good block. The ex-UCD man followed up from close range with the covering Pender hacking off the goal-line.
Bray Wanderers: O'Connor; Pender, K. Doherty, Foran, Cronin; Whelan, Tresson, Cawley, Duggan (Kenny 84 mins); Kavanagh, Rowe (Dunphy 80 mins).
Derry City: G. Doherty, McCallion (Farren 61 mins), Hutton, Delaney, Gray; McHugh, Martyn, McGlynn Molloy, Morrison (Higgins 82 mins); Sammon (McGinn 61 mins).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
