Cobh Ramblers recorded a third league win over the season and keep in touching distance of the First Division promotion playoffs after overcoming an in-form Bray Wanderers at St Colman's Park.
Ramblers came into this particular clash eight points off theplayoff places and searching for a third league win of the campaign.
It was a special night for Cobh, with the official opening ceremony for the newly renovated St Colman’s Park taking place
While Ian Ryan’s Bray side, who were looking to win five league games in a row for only the second time since entering the League of Ireland back in 1985, are a team with strong promotion ambitions for the 2024 season.
It was the Wicklow club got off to the most perfect of starts, when Peter Grogan netted from a tight angle inside the box, his fifth game in a row finding the back of net.
Ramblers, though, responded well and scored an equaliser in the ninth minute. Taking aim from distance, Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh found the back of the net with a sweetly struck effort.
By the midway point of the opening half, Bray saw plenty of possession but the Cobh defence were now holding firm.
The visitors almost regained the lead just shy of the half hour mark, when Harry Groome forced a good save from Cobh goalkeeper Darragh Burke.
Cobh looked for a strong finish to the first half, with Pierce Phillips going close with a well struck effort from the edge of the box, the shot just clearing the crossbar.
Shortly after the restart, another Phillips shot was repelled impressively by Bray stopper Stephen McGuinness. At the other end, Burke turned away a headed effort from Grogan.
In the 62nd minute, Bray were presented with a gilt-edged chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. But Burke was the hero again, saving Shane Griffin's spot-kick.
Somewhat against the run of play, Ramblers subsequently hit the front, Dale Holland's cross-cum-shot somehow winding up in the back of the net.
Bray sought an instant response, almost equalising through a Griffin free kick, but Burke again foiled the shot. Late on, Grogan shot was cleared off the line by the Cobh defence and the hosts held out to win.
Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Cian Browne, Brendan Frahill, Dean Larkin, Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh (Liam Kervick, 90), Pierce Phillips (James O’Leary , 70) , Matthew McKevitt, Jack Larkin, Charlie O’Brien, Dale Holland, Jason Abbott.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Max Murphy, Evan Osam(Guillermo Almirall , 81) , Darren Craven (Zach Nolan, 79) , Harry Groome, Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Peter Grogan(Zayd Abada, 85) , Shane Griffin, Conor Knight (Cristian Magerusan, HT) , Kieran Cruise (Thomas Morgan, 79)
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
Cork City remain unassailable at the top of the First Division, though they were made to work by a game Kerry FC in Mounthawk Park this evening.
Evan McLaughlin's 10th minute penalty wound up settling the contest as Cork stayed seven points clear in the second tier.
📹 | No mistake from Evan McLaughlin to give Cork City the lead over Kerry!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 3, 2024
Elsewhere in Munster, Beineon O'Brien-Whitmarsh has equalised for Cobh Ramblers against Bray Wanderers.#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/WLYA6QSMHp
Elsewhere, Athlone Town erased a two-goal half-time deficit to nab a point against Wexford FC in Ferrycarrig Park.
Mikie Rowe and Ethan Boyle found the net inside the opening 20 minute to leave the home side in command.
However, German Fuentes Rodriguez pulled one back shortly after the resumption and then 10 minutes from time, Cian O'Malley turned one into his own net to gift a point to the midlanders.
The other midlanders, Longford Town, remain rooted to the bottom and still winless after 12 games following a 1-0 loss away to UCD, Jake Doyle's strike on the half hour delivering the three points for the Students.
Finn Harps took third spot after Tony McNamee's winner on the 80th minute saw them edge out Treaty United in Finn Park.
