Longford Town 1-0 Bray Wanderers
A spectacular fifth goal of the season from David O’Sullivan lit up the City Calling Stadium to earn Longford Town a first win in eight Airtricity League Premier Division games.
Tony Cousins’ side made hard work of the overdue victory however, as they had to defend tenaciously late on following the sending off of midfielder Stephen Rice.
Skipper Mark Salmon returned to Longford's midfield with Dean Kelly coming back in from the start up front in Cousins' two changes from their FAI Cup win last week.
In one change for in-form Bray, John Sullivan returned in midfield for the suspended Graham Kelly.
Though Bray looked the more composed side from the off, it was Longford who might have been ahead from the game’s first real opening on 14 minutes.
Mark Rossiter headed Salmon’s free kick back across the area where O’Sullivan should have at least hit the target rather than volleying over the bar from close range.
Though forewarned, the same set-piece almost caught Bray out a second time six minutes later when Rossiter was again left unmarked from another Salmon delivery. His downward header scarcely troubled Peter Cherrie though, who gathered at the foot of a post.
Longford had their keeper Paul Hunt to thank for not falling behind on 37 minutes from the one clear-cut chance of the half.
Ryan McEvoy and Dave Scully worked the opening to put Chris Lyons through on goal. Hunt raced out and spread himself well to make a fine save.
Guilty of a miss in the first half, O’Sullivan made full amends with a cracking goal to win it for Longford on 56 minutes.
Collecting Salmon’s long pass, O’Sullivan unleashed a powerful right foot drive form the edge of the area past Cherrie.
Bray responded with skipper David Cassidy bringing another good save from Hunt from a low drive within two minutes.
Longford then had to dig in after losing Rice on 73 minutes when he was sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Michael Barker.
Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Pat Sullivan, Rhys Gorman, Mark Rossiter, Conor Powell; Mark Salmon, Kevin O’Connor, Stephen Rice, Lorcan Shannon Ayman Ben MOhamed 85); Dean Kelly (Kaleem Simon 61), David O'Sullivan (Philip Gannon 76).
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; John Sullivan; Dave Scully, Ryan McEvoy, David Cassidy, Peter McGlynn (Emeka Onwubiko 76); Chris Lyons.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
