Champions Drogheda were presented with the League of Ireland trophy tonight – but Bray also had reason to celebrate after snatching a last-gasp equaliser to improve their survival prospects.
Eamon Zayed fired the Boynesiders into a 38th minute lead after Shane Robinson’s cross was not properly cleared.
But Bray, who hit the woodwork twice through Alan Cawley and Patrick Kavanagh, levelled two minutes into stoppage time when Cawley fired home from the spot after a handball decision.
Drogheda boss Paul Doolin selected a full-strength side for the visit of the Seagulls, and Bray were dealt a severe blow just moments before kick-off when Gary McCabe was withdrawn, to be replaced in the starting line-up by James O’Shea.
However, the visitors carved out the game’s first opening when Patrick Kavanagh was tripped 20 yards out by Paul Keegan and Alan Cawley’s curling free kick struck the outside of the post.
Kavanagh was provider once more in the 20th minute when he dispossessed Brian Shelley and made a darting run into the Drogheda box before side-footing to Stephen Fox, who sliced high and wide of the empty net.
For all Bray’s attacking threat, their goalkeeper Steve Williams was first into action when he superbly blocked Ollie Cahill’s driven shot at the end of a sweeping Drogheda move.
Kavanagh finally tested Drogheda netminder Dan Connor in the 31st minute, who got down well to stop his low shot, and Connor then saved Fox’s volley from 12 yards.
Yet it was Drogheda who struck when Shane Robinson’s cross was only half-cleared by the Bray defence and Eamon Zayed shot past the helpless Williams from 12 yards.
Bray almost levelled on two occasions before half time, Kavanagh heading over from close range and then Fox shooting inches wide of Connor’s left-hand post.
Luck deserted the Seagulls again in the 59th minute when O’Shea’s deep cross was met by Kavanagh, whose blistering volley cannoned against the crossbar.
The champions nearly put the game beyond reach when they quickly turned defence into attack and Robinson’s cross was met by Guy Bates whose header flew wide of the target.
But right at the death referee Declan Hanney spotted a handball in the packed Drogheda penalty area and Cawley stepped up to beat Connor from the spot.
DROGHEDA UNITED – Connor, Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Webb, Robinson, Byrne, Keegan, Cahill, Bates, Zayed. Subs: O’Keeffe for Zayed (54min), Tambouras for Gavin (65min).
BRAY WANDERERS – Williams, Ivory, Delaney, Deans, Cronin, O’Shea, Tresson, Cawley, Hurley, Fox, Kavanagh. Subs: Dunphy for O’Shea (72min).
Referee – Declan Hanney (Dublin).
