David Scully hits right note for Harps

Finn Harps 1 Bray Wanderers 0: Finn Harps notched up their third home win in five outings as they just overcame Bray Wanderers at a damp Finn Park.

Harps went into the game hoping to bounce back from two straight defeats and knowing that a win over Bray would give them a six point cushion over the Wicklow side in this early season bottom half of the table six-pointer.

Bray had an early penalty claim dismissed when Dylan Connolly went down in the box under pressure from Packie Mailey.

Harps took the lead on seven minutes with David Scully steering the ball into the net against one of his former clubs after a good build up involving Sean Houston and Ryan Curran.

Bray battled back before the break but Harps always looked sharp in attack with the inspirational Houston driving forward with menace from midfield.

Harps netminder Richard Brush was forced into making two important saves just before the interval.

Bray produced several probing crosses from the flanks into the box but clear cut chances were largely restricted.

The visitors had the better of the second half and went close on 70 minutes when Andrew Lewis’ lob beat Brush but fell just to the left of the target while moments later Conor Kenna fired wide from a good position.

Bray will feel that they deserved a point but Ollie Horgan’s side held on for a win that lifts them above Bohs into seventh spot.

FINN HARPS:

Brush; McNulty, Maiey, Cowan, Coll; Hanlon (Foy, 67 mins), Harkin (Crossan, 86 mins), Houston, McNamee; Curran, Scully (Funston, 80 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS:

Cherrie; Douglas, Finnegan (Byrne, 34 mins; Marks for Byrne, 45 mins), Kenna, Harding; Connolly (McDonagh, 77 mins), Creevy, Brennan, Moore; Pender, Lewis.

Referee:

R, Matthews (Dublin).