Amid bizarre scenes at the Carlisle Grounds, Gary Twigg’s 16th goal of the season lifted Rovers up to second place in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Tadhg Purcell swung over a right wing a 68th minute cross which Chris O’Connor came to claim.
But the Australian custodian dropped the ball as he landed, which
allowed Twigg the opportunity to roll the ball into an unguarded goal.
He ran to the sideline to celebrate with away fans, but a section of the perimeter wall surrounding the pitch collapsed.
With the medical personnel and the Fire Brigade called to deal with the situation, a spectator was stretchered from the venue some 20 minutes later with a suspected broken leg.
The match resumed after a 30 minute delay. But the visitors held on to record their third win on the spin.
But they finished the contest with ten men when Sean O’Connor was red carded in injury time for apparent dissent towards an assistant referee.
With Drogheda beating Derry, the ramifications of the result at the Brandywell had bearing for both teams by the seaside.
The Hoops are now five points behind Bohs, while Bray remain rooted bottom of the table and four points from safety.
With the Paddy Kavanagh issue dominating the pre-game build up, Michael O’Neill’s men took a 42nd minute lead.
With the Dubliners wearing their new purple away kit, the former
Shels ace started wearing red boots.
But he switched to luminous green footwear and they did the trick in the 42nd minute.
Derek Foran initially cut-out a through ball, but Philip Knight
miscued straight to Baker. He teed himself up to hit a dipping
22-yard volley that flew to the net.
But the Wicklow outfit levelled in the 54th minute.
Dane Massey curled over a left wing free and Dave Mulcahy burst past Aidan Price to wrong foot Barry Murphy with a sliding finish.
Bray Wanderers: Chris O’Connor; Doyle (Coughlan 69), Foran, Webster, Knight; Pender, Brennan, David O’Neill, Mulcahy, Massey; Byrne (Kelly 20, Shane O’Neill half time).
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Flynn, Sives, Price, Bermingham; Purcell, Robinson, Rice, Sean O’Connor; Twigg, Baker (Cowan 81).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
