Second-half goals keep Pat’s in hunt
St Pat’s dominate the first half, although Bray had an early appeal for a penalty turned down by Cork referee Alan Kelly when Dave Mulcahy appeared to handle a shot by midfielder Daire Doyle.
The Saints went close on 32 minutes when the always dangerous North’s glancing header was just wide.
Pat’s went close again just before the interval when an Evan McMillan header from 12 yards was just over. Then, in stoppage time, Anto Murphy had an effort parried by Bray keeper Darren Quigley and from the rebound midfielder Dave Mulcahy’s shot was cleared by Dave Webster.
Bray had a chance in first-half added time when a Danny McGuinness cross was missed by keeper Gary Rogers but inrushing winger Kevin Knight just failed to make the vital connection.
St. Pat’s took up where they left off early in the second half when Daryl Kavanagh had a header deflected over.
Pat’s had appeals for a penalty on 50 minutes when Graham Kelly appeared to handle an effort from Mulcahy. Then Paul Shields headed off the line from Bermingham .
The Pat’s pressure finally paid off on 53 minutes when Sean O’Connor was fouled in the box by Shane O’Connor. Stephen Bradley sent Quigley the wrong way from the spot.
Two minutes later the Saints stretched their lead with a spectacular Mulcahy volley from 20 yards.
The visitors grabbed a third goal on 67 minutes, when a low cross from substitute Ian Daly was hammered home from 15 yards by Murphy.
BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, Shane O’Connor, Shields, Houston; J.Kelly, Doyle, G.Kelly (Zambra 61), Knight; C.Murphy (O’Neill 70), McGuinness (Shaw 61).
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, E.McMillan, Kenna, Bermingham; A.Murphy, Bradley, McFaul , Mulcahy (Crowley 80), Sean O’Connor;
Kavanagh, North (Daly 38).
Referee : Alan Kelly (Cork).
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