Sheppard brace sinks Bray

Bray Wanderers 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Karl Sheppard scored twice, the second an 89th-minute winner, to lift champions Shamrock Rovers to the top of the table.

Michael O’Neill’s Hoops edge a point clear of Sligo Rovers, who lost at St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday night, ahead of a game in hand at home to third-placed Derry City on Thursday night.

Conscious to make the most of their overnight good fortune, Rovers seized the initiative and were in front after seven minutes.

Pat Sullivan’s cross from the right was met with a firm header from Chris Turner. Keeper Darren Quigley brilliantly touched the ball onto his crossbar, but Sheppard reacted sharply to the rebound to head the ball into the net.

Scarcely in the game, Bray levelled on 64 minutes when captain Gary Dempsey’s free-kick on the left touchline floated all the way across goal to enter the net at the far post.

Gary McCabe’s dipping volley from 35 yards came back off a Bray post on 78 minutes as Rovers' frustration grew.

But with a minute of normal time remaining, Sheppard darted to the near post to flash substitute Ciaran Kilduff’s cross to the net off his head for a massive three points.