10-man Saints sink the Seagulls

Bray Wanderers 2 St Patrick’s Athletic 4

Bray were in front on 13 minutes when Cassidy was taken down inside the box by Saints central defender Ken Oman. Referee Paul Tuite immediately showed the red card to Oman and Jake Kelly made no mistake with the penalty, sending keeper Brendan Clarke the wrong way.

The Inchicore were deservedly level on 39 minutes when Chris Forrester picked up the ball in midfield, waltzed past two defenders before shooting from 30 yards. The ball rebounded off the underside of the crossbar, with Fagan then heading over — but assistant referee Michelle O’Neill ruled that Forrester’s effort had definitely crossed the goal-line.

And there were more celebrations for the 10 men Dubliners on 54 minutes, when Keith Fahey spun round Jake Kelly to shoot past a hesitant McGuinness with an angled effort from 20 yards.

A minute later St Pat’s stretched their lead when Fahey turned provider to set up the chance for Conan Byrne, who fired home from 12 yards.

A night of misery for McGuinness was complete on 63 minutes as a harmless- looking cross from the right by Byrne sailed over his head, into the unguarded net.

Bray did get a second goal on 80 minutes, when Hanlon headed home at the far post from a Graham Kelly corner.

BRAY WANDERERS: McGuinness; Cooney, Webster, Mitchell, Gorman; Hanlon, Cassidy (O’Neill 77), Zambra, G.Kelly, Akinade (Scully 70), J Kelly.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; Hoare, Oman, Green; Bolger; Byrne, Fahey (Chambers 78), Brennan, Forrester (Fitzgerald 90); Fagan (Quigley 70).

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).