Byrne grabs Bray brace

Brilliant opportunist goals in each half by evergreen striker Jason Byrne helped Bray secure a vital victory over UCD at the Carlisle Grounds.

Byrne found his range on 17 minutes when John Mulroy found Adam Hanlon on the left and his low cross was fired home from close range by the alert Byrne.

The Students were level on 26 minutes after a foul on Corry by Mulroy. Defender Danny Ledwith curled home the resulting free-kick from 28 yards past hesitant Bray keeper Darren Quigley.

There were chances at either end before the break but after the restart it was the home side who cranked up the pressure in an attempt to find the breakthrough, although Quigley had to be alert to deny Corry at the other end.

Byrne grabbed all the glory with his second of the night and his 12th league goal of the season on 68 minutes.

Mulroy set up the first chance for the striker but his effort was pushed out by McGinley. Then Waters’ effort on the rebound was only half-blocked by Ledwith with the superb Byrne able to apply the finishing touch.

The icing on the cake came for Bray in the third minute of added time when Waters crossed from the left to allow Mulroy to fire home from close range.

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, Danny O’Connor, Sweeney, Knight; Hanlon, Mulroy, Zambra , Houston (Massey 76), Waters; Byrne.

UCD: McGinley; Ledwith, David O’Connor, Leahy, Nangle; McNelis (Langtry 62), P O’Conor. Corry, Benson, Clarke (Lyons 62); Rusk (Burke 87).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).