Dundalk’s Euro hopes dented

DUNDALK’S hopes of a late push to secure European football for next season were dealt a major blow at home to Bray Wanderers last night after the Louth men were held to their 10th draw of the season.

With many of their big names returning from injury, Ian Foster’s side knew that a win could have seen them leapfrog Bohemians into sixth place in the table.

However, despite Mark Quigley firing them ahead from the spot on 14 minutes, they failed to build on that early goal and needed the former St Patrick’s Athletic striker to bail them out with a second half equaliser after goals either side of half-time from Danny O’Connor and Dean Zambra had briefly put the visitors in front.

The Seagulls started the brighter of the two sides and could have opened their account twice inside the opening eight minutes with Chris Shields sending a free header before Jake Kelly blazed wide from close range.

Dundalk then took the lead on 14 minutes with Quigley slotting a penalty to the net past his namesake Darren after Derek Prendergast was adjudged to have fouled Marc Griffin inside the area.

The home side had two good chances to add to their lead after that but Quigley pulled a good chance wide on 29 minutes before Nathan Murphy was denied by the legs of Quigley 10 minutes later.

Oriel Park was shocked into silence in first half stoppage time, however, when Bray equalised with O’Connor steering the ball home after getting on the end of passes from Shields’ pass.

Pat Devlin’s side then took the lead within seven minutes of the restart with Zambra tucking the ball home at the near post after getting on the end of a wonderful cross from Kelly. But straight from the kick-off Quigley raced onto Simon Madden’s ball over the top to lift the ball over his namesake to level matters.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, McHugh, N Murphy (Bennett, 86); Kearns, Bolger, Maher (Ward, 63), Gaynor; Quigley, Griffin (Byrne, 74 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley, S O’Connor, Mitchell, Prendergast, Houston; Zambra, Doyle, D O’Connor (O’Neill, 85), Shields, Kelly, Murphy (Mulroy, 79).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).