Robbie Doyle's first League goal of the season saw Bray Wanderers snatch a point from the jaws of defeat as they drew 1-1 with UCD at the Carlisle Grounds today.
Facing their third eircom League Premier Division 1-0 loss in 12 days, just 15 seconds of normal time remained when Wanderers David Tyrrell was brought down by Conor Kenna.
Doyle stepped up and hit a 25-yard free kick. Republic of Ireland under-21 net-minder Darren Quigley appeared to have it covered but inexplicably dropped the ball over his line.
The visitors were left to rue an 87th minute opportunity to kill off the Wicklow side.
Alan Cawley played in Patrick McWalter to beat the offside trap. With just Chris O'Connor to beat, the young custodian stood up strong to make a vital block.
Wanderers began well with Colm Tresson chipping over after just 15 seconds. But the away side then took control as they forced a series of corners.
Winger Derek Doyle skipped past Stephen Gifford in the eighth minute down the left only to see his drive pushed out for a corner by O'Connor.
With a swirling wind playing havoc with the ball, Robbie Doyle wasted the hosts best chance in the opening period.
He broke free from the shackles of Alan McNally only to loft wide of the target form 20-yards with Quigley well off his line.
O'Connor was called in action again five minutes before the interval.
From Alan Mahon's long throw-in from the right flank, Conor Sammon controlled with his chest and swivelled to hit a close range volley which the Australian goalkeeper blocked well at his front post.
It had looked as if the away team would go on to victory after they broke the dead-lock on the hour mark.
Having lost the influential Stephen Fox moments earlier, his replacement - Colm James - slipped. It allowed space for Sammon to burst forward and fire low left footed to the net from 16-yards.
Bray Wanderers: O’Connor; Gifford, McGovern, Roche (Keogh 67 mins), W. Tyrrell (Ryan 82 mins); Tresson, Caffrey, Fox (James 58 mins), D. Tyrrell; R. Doyle, O’Brien.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon (Ryan half time), Shortall, McNally, Kenna; Hurley (Kavanagh 65 mins), Cawley, Dicker, D Doyle; McWalter, Sammon.
Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).
