O’Brien hands Mahon first win as Pats manager

Bray Wanderers 0 St. Patrick’s Athletic 1

Declan O’Brien’s first league goal for St. Pat’s greatly eased their relegation fears as they won for the first time in six games.

The victory, new boss Pete Mahon’s first in charge, moves Saints six points above the play-off places and 10 points clear of bottom side Bray who look in real trouble now.

Bray’s bright start counted for nothing as they fell behind to a route one attack on 28 minutes.

Dave Partridge’s long ball caught the home defence on the back foot and O’Brien lobbed keeper Chris O’Connor from 30 yards with a delightful first time effort.

Bray again enjoyed much of the ball in the second half, but it was Saints who might have doubled their lead on 68 minutes when Ryan Guy raced onto Damien Lynch’s ball down the line to shoot into the side netting.