Two of the promotion challengers were in action in the Eircom League First Division last night. It turned out better for one than the other as Bray Wanderers beat Home Farm Fingal 5-1 at the Carlisle Grounds to move into second place and to within a point of Longford Town. Jason Byrne put them in-front after 18 minutes before Peter Rogers equalised a minute from half-time. The second-half was a different story. Ciaran Tarzan O'Brien scored 10 minutes in to make it 2-1 and then he got number three from the penalty spot 4 minutes later. Colm Tresson scored the fourth after 64 minutes and 5 minutes from time Barry O'Connor ended the goal feast with number five.
On the other hand Dundalk slipped up losing 1-0 at home to Athlone Town, with Warren Parkes scoring the only goal after 6 minutes. Tonight's scheduled first division match between leaders Longford Town and Kilkenny City has been postponed due to the bad weather.
In the Leinster senior Cup Saint Francis beat Bohemians 4-3 on penalties after the match at Dalymount Park ended 1-1 after extra time. Graham Doyle's 24-minute goal was cancelled out by a Gavin Doyle equaliser a minute later.
In an international friendly the Irish Under-16's beat Denmark 1-0 at Buckley Park. Tranmere's Sean Thornton scored the winner on his debut. Tonight Brian Kerr's side play Scotland at Whitehall in Dublin as Oriel Park in Dundalk is unplayable. Kick-off there is at 7.30pm.
In the English League Division 1 Charlton moved seven points clear with a 1-0 over Fulham while Birmingham City beat Blackburn 1-0 last night. John Robinson's goal after 63 minutes earning Charlton a club record ninth win in a row while Martin O'Connor scored the first-half winner for City over Rovers.
In the Scottish Premier League Rangers drew 1-1 at Saint Johnstone and are now 8 points ahead of Celtic who play Kilmarnock in the semi-finals of the League cup this evening. Substitute Nathan Lowndes netted with his first touch four minutes from time to deny Rangers the win. Rangers looked to have secured 3 points courtesy of Tony Vidmar's 58th minute goal before Lowndes ensured the points would be shared. In the Scottish Cup third round replay Ayr and Dundee were level 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time. Eventually Ayr won the penalty shoot-out 7-6.
Meanwhile, testimonial matches will soon be a thing of the past. The FAI has confirmed that at its last Board of Management meeting it was decided that they would no longer grant testimonials. The Steve Staunton/ Tony Cacarino testimoial at Lansdowne Road on May 21 will be the last of its kind.
