Finn Harps earned a much-needed home win as the Donegal side overcame Bray Wanderers in Ballybofey.
An early own goal by Bray defender Dean O'Shea set Harps on their way and Joel Bradley Walsh gave the home side a two-goal buffer before the interval.
The nerves whistled around Finn Park when Bray sub Ifunanyachi Achara fired home in the 75th minute to narrow the deficit, just 10 minutes after his introduction.
However, Kevin McHugh's held on to claim a first win in seven - and only their third of the season. Harps attempted to incentivise a bumper Bank Holiday crowd by offering a cut-price admission of €5 to all supporters, but on the back of a frustrating sequence of results, the official attendance figure of 662 was a blow to both the club and its tills.
Harps took the lead in the 12th minute, O’Shea glancing a front-post header from Bernardo Monteiro’s corner past his own goalkeeper, James Corcoran.Six minutes before half-time, Harps doubled the lead.
Gavin McAteer’s clever reverse pass created an opening for Monteiro, whose shot clipped the hand of a Bray defender and referee Daryl Carolan pointed to the spot. Bradley Walsh saw his powerful beaten stopped by the palm of Corcoran, but the Harps defender was quickest to react to bundle home the second - and his second of the season.
Bray had almost drawn level on the half-hour, but Daniel Ring fired wide when he darted to connect with a long throw-in by O’Shea at the Town End. After a 2-0 defeat to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park, Harps boss McHugh made four switches to his team.
Aaron McLaughlin came in for only his second start pf the season, while Corey Sheridan made his return in goal following a recent injury. Max Hutchison, who also missed a few weeks with an injury, was restored to the XI after a couple of cameos off the bench and Monteiro was elevated as McHugh sought a response from his off-form side, who had won just once in 11.
Bray had fared little better lately, the Segulls posting one win from their last eight league outings and Paul Heffernan significantly altered his flock. Jamie Duggan, John Bilili Sesay, Conor Knight, Daniel Ring and Billy O’Neill were all drafted in with five changes to the team that began Friday’s 2-2 draw against Treaty.
Harps had a big chance to put the game firmly beyond Bray’s reach in the 59th minute but the marauding Alex Fanle fired wide of the far post after being teed up by Nathan Lumingo.
When Achara struck for Bray, Harps were on shaky ground and it took a fine save by Sheridan to thwart O’Neill less than two minutes later. Late in the evening, Declan Osagie headed over the top as Bray went in search of an equaliser while Ring flicked over after getting on the end of a teasing O’Shea cross.
Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchinson, Joel Bradley Walsh, Alex Fanle; Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee; Aaron McLaughlin (Temi Ajibola 81), Gavin McAteer (Idir Zerrouk 81), Bernardo Monteiro (Perrault Tokam 64); Nathan Lumingo.
Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Declan Osagie, Jamie Duggan, Benjamin Fagbemi (Ifunanyachi Achara 65), Dean O’Shea; Ben McCormack (Aime Azende Nyembo 74), John Bilili Sesay (Richard Ferizaj 65); Conor Knight, Cian Doyle, Billy O’Neill; Daniel Ring.Referee: Daryl Carolan.
Cobh Ramblers took the lead at home to UCD through Rhys Brennan but the Students slipped home with the points after Ciaran Behan's equaliser was added to be a Brendan Frahill own goal.
Kerry FC held on to beat Cork City 1-0, the goal coming courtesy of Niall Brookwell in the 16th minute. The home side survived the 75th-minute sending off of Cian Bargary to take the spoils.
Longford and Athlone shared the points in the 'Town derby', the game ending 1-1. Athlone took the lead in the 49th minute through Cillian Tollett before Irhue bagged the equaliser with 13 minutes to play.
In the second tier's one remaining fixture, Brian Cunningham struck at the death to secure a 1-0 win for Treaty United over 10-man Wexford FC, who had Max Murphy dismissed with seven minutes still to play.
