Bray Wanderers 2-2 Sligo Rovers

The basement clubs played out a four-goal thriller as ten-man Bray twice came from behind to snatch a point in tonight's Premier Division encounter at the Carlisle Grounds.

In-form Sligo striker Rafael Cretaro took his tally against the
Wicklow side to five in three games this season thanks to a first half double at the Carlisle Grounds.

Rovers were the better side but couldn't find the winner with an
inspired Chris O'Connor in the way.

Cretaro broke the dead-lock after just six minutes. Alan Keane's through ball was not cut-out by Dave Webster and the ball fell to Cretaro and space opened up for him on the edge of the area. The striker then coolly slotted past Chris O'Connor from 12-yards with a low finish into the bottom corner.

But Wanderers levelled matters in the 22nd minute. From O'Connor's long kick, substitute Jack Kelly flicked on and despite Martin Camano's clearing header, Dane Massey burst past the challenging Keane and Kelly to fire a superb 22-yard half volley past Richard Brush's despairing dive.

The Bit O'Red spurned three great chances after that with O'Connor twice denying Cretaro and then Matthew Blinkhorn.

That pressure paid off right on the stroke of half time though.

From Brush's goal-kick, Webster's poor back header allowed Cretaro to notch his ninth league effort of the campaign with a precise 20-yard lob over the stranded O'Connor.

But Bray almost went in level. In first half stoppage tim, Webster unleashed a 25-yard free-kick that took a deflection off the wall and crashed off the cross-bar.

However, the Seagulls were awarded a penalty in the first minute of the second period when Kelly was hauled down by Romuald Boco for Gary McCabe converted his fourth spot kick of the campaign.

The Wanderers were reduced to ten men with 12 minutes remaining. Having being booked for a foul on Gavin Peers in the 74th minute, the midfielder picked a second yellow when fouling Cretaro just four minutes later.

Bray Wanderers: 1 Chris O'Connor; 3 Daire Doyle , 4 Dave Webster, 5 Deans, 2 Derek Pender; 11 Gary McCabe, 6 Chris Shields, 8 Dave Mulcahy, 7 Dane Massey; 9 John Mulroy (14 Jake Kelly 19 mins) 10 John Flood (12 Gareth Coughlan 73 mins).

Subs not used: 15 David O'Neill, 25 Brian Kane.

Booked: Shields 48 mins, Flood 66 mins, McCabe 68 mins, Mulcahy 74 mins

Red card: Mulcahy 78 mins.

Sligo Rovers: 1 Richard Brush; 2 Romuald Boco, 5 Martin Camano (15 Gavin Peers 57 mins - 14 Brian Cash 83 mins), 4 Alan Keane, 3 Joe Kendrick; 7 Owen Morrison, 8 Danny Ventre, 6 Conor O'Grady (12 Richie Ryan 57 mins), 11 Eoin Doyle; 10 Rafael Cretaro, 9 Matthew Blinkhorn.

Subs not used: 13 Dean Marshall, 17 Ciaran Kelly.

Booked: Eoin Doyle 25 mins, Morrison 45 + 1, Boco 83 mins