Byrne buoys Bray

A brilliant double by veteran striker Jason Byrne enabled Bray Wanderers to snatch a deserved share of the spoils against still unbeaten St Patrick’s Athletic in a six goal thriller at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

The Seagulls took the lead against the run of play on 36 minutes when Marty Waters’ low cross was swept home by Byrne from close range.

But Pat’s were level a minute before the interval when Fagan shot home from 16 yards after Pierce Sweeney failed to clear a Ger O’Brien cross from the right.

A pinpoint shot from 22 yards by John Mulroy had Bray back in front on 59 minutes but the Saints were level again on 66 minutes when a quick cross by Russell was fired home at the near post by Fagan.

Liam Buckley’s team had their noses in front for the first time on 72 minutes when a Greg Bolger cross fell kindly for John Russell to fire home a brilliant snap shot from 25 yards.

But Byrne had the final word in the third minute of added time when a Waters cross from the left was fired home at the far post to make it five matches unbeaten for the Seagulls.

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, D.O’Connor, Sweeney , Massey (A Bolger 89); Hanlon (Knight 82), Zambra, Mulroy, Houston (Mitchell 88), Waters; Byrne.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O’Brien, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham; Forrester, G Bolger, Russell, S.O’Connor (Carrol 79); Fagan, J Kelly (Daly 65).

Referee: Richie Winter (Wicklow).