Drogheda United came from 2-0 down to snatch a dramatic point at a misty Carlisle Grounds against Bray Wanderers.
Both side’s finished with ten men as referee Padraig Sutton struggled to keep control as tempers flared.
It looked as if Bray would go above their relegation rivals as they
struck twice right on the stroke of half-time.
Playing his first game since the middle of April, home skipper Daire Doyle whipped in a right wing cross. Robbie Doyle flicked on and the unmarked Jake Kelly smashed a 15-yard swerving volley back into the front post for his fourth top-flight goal of the campaign.
It got even better for the Wicklow side in stoppage-time.
Shane O’Neill embarked on a solo run from the halfway line only to be stopped just outside the box by John Kendrick. Kelly nipped in and tussled with Jamie Harris. Kelly fed O’Neill who slotted low past Skinner for his first goal since the opening day of the season.
But the Wicklow side were reduced to ten men in the 53rd minute.
Having been booked for a foul on Ryan Brennan in the first half,
full-back Shane O’Connor was dismissed by referee Padraig Sutton after challenging Kendrick along the left flank.
But the Wicklow side were also down to ten men in the 53rd minute.
Having been booked for a foul on Ryan Brennan in the first half, full-back Shane O’Connor was dismissed after challenging Joe Kendrick along the left flank.
United reduced their arrears in the 79th minute. Fed by Corey Treacy, Brendan McGill cut in-field and struck a 25-yard
rocket that dipped under the cross-bar.
They were then awarded a controversial penalty when Sutton deemed Colm Tresson’s had handled Kendrick’s cross. And Kendrick slotted in the resulting penalty.
The game descended into farce in the closing stages. Bray assistant Keith Long was removed from the dug-out after protesting Jamie Harris’ challenge on Dane Massey.
Then Sutton showed Drogheda sub Jamie Duffy a straight red card in the 89th minute after an off the ball altercation with Dave Webster.
Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Kane; 4 Shane O’Connor, 2 Colm Tresson, 5 David Webster, 3 Dane Massey; 7 Daire Doyle, 6 Chris Shields, 8 James Kavanagh, 11 Jake Kelly (12 John Mulroy 70 mins); 9 Robbie Doyle, 10 Shane O’Neill (16 Andrei Georgescu 82 mins). Subs not used: 14 Dylan Vickers, 15 Nicky Byrne, 17 Ian Tuohy.
Drogheda United: 1 Paul Skinner, 2 Corey Treacy, 5 Alan McNally, 15 Jamie Harris, 3 Joe Kendrick; 7 Brendan McGill, 10 Paul Crowley, 16 Michael Daly, 19 Ryan Brennan; 11 John Flood 8 (Jamie Duffy 67 mins) 18 Glen Fitzpatrick. Subs not used: 6 Eric McGill, 17 Paul Montondo, 20 Colm Smyth, 23 Paul Murphy.
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
