Garry Breen swooped to head in a dramatic 90th minute winner as Ian Foster got off to a winning start as Dundalk boss.
Just as it looked as though Bray would hold firm for a clean sheet at the Carlisle Grounds, ex-Seagull Alan Cawley swung over a corner and former Galway defender Breen rose to head from eight yards out, with the ball somehow slipping through Brian Kane’s grasp.
It was rough justice on Bray who had the better of the ball, but
couldn’t find a way past an inspired away custodian Peter Cherrie.
There was an explosive start to the contest as Wanderers were awarded a penalty after just 100 seconds.
From a long throw-in, Shane O’Neill got clear of the away defence only to have his heels clipped by Dundalk skipper Liam Burns inside the box.
Amazingly, referee Dave McKeon awarded the 12-yard dead-ball but did not send off Burns who was clearly the last defender.
The young striker took the spot-kick himself only for Peter Cherrie to dive to his right and make a fine save.
The Wicklow side went close again in the 14th minute.
This time, Jake Kelly’s inswinging corner was headed down by Shane O’Connor against the back post before being scrambled clear.
The visitors first threatened in the 20th minute when JJ Melligan
pounced on a loose ball 14 yards out to shoot just over.
Both teams then sent dead ball efforts wide with Richie Baker and Neale Fenn off target from 20-yards at either end.
After the interval the Louth side went to a 3-5-2 formation, but they lost Burns to injury on the hour.
Moments later, Jake Kelly’s ball over the top saw O’Neill outpace Breen, but Cherrie stood up and spread himself to bravely block
the attacker’s close range volley.
Just like the start, there was an exciting finish to the game.
Sub John Mulroy’s reverse pass saw O’Neill’s clever turn lose his
marker.
But he somehow dragged his 12-yard wide with the goal at his
mercy.
From the goal-kick, Dundalk attacked. From the left flank, Neale Fenn crossed and Fahrudin Kudozovic somehow poked wide from close in between two opponents.
But it was Breen’s last gasp header that settled the tie.
Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Kane; 2 Daire Doyle, 4 Shane O’Connor, 5 Philip Knight (15 Nicky Byrne 11 mins), 3 Dane Massey; 11 Richie
Baker, 6 James Kavanagh, 8 Chris Shields, 7 Jake Kelly (12 David
Tyrrell); 9 Robbie Doyle (16 John Mulroy), 10 Shane 0’Neill.
Subs not used: 14 Dean Zambra, 25 Carl Donnelly
Dundalk: 1 Peter Cherrie; 2 Shaun Kelly, 5 Garry Breen,
6 Liam Burns (15 Ciarán McGuigan 60 mins), 3 Wayne Hatswell; 7 Stephen Maher, 4 Tom Miller (8 Alan Cawley 66 mins), 14 JJ Melligan, 11 Ross Gaynor; 9 Fahrudin Kudozovic, 10 Neale Fenn.
Subs not used: 12 Michael Synnott, 13 Nathan Murphy, 22 Matt Gregg.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
