BRAY WNDRS………………………………… 1
DERRY CITY……………………………………. 1
RORY PATTERSON was Derry City’s saviour at the Carlisle Grounds last night, as Peter Hutton’s charges claimed a point in a keenly-contested clash with Bray Wanderers.
The Candystripes had breathed a huge sigh of relief on 21 minutes when Jake Kelly’s delicate chip past the advancing Gerard Doherty crashed off the top of the crossbar.
However, the impressive hosts eventually broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage-time, as centre-half Adam Mitchell powerfully headed home from Adam Hanlon’s enticing right-wing cross.
The reliable Doherty came to Derry’s aid on the hour when Jake Kelly looked primed to double his side’s advantage with a fierce, close-range volley.
From the subsequent attack, Patterson stepped forward to calmly convert a penalty beyond the reach of McGuinness.
Bray won a penalty of their own 78 minutes after Doherty fouled Jake Kelly, but the Bray man promptly blasted over from the spot.
Shaun Kelly’s dismissal six minutes from time handed the initiative to Bray but they had to settle for a share of the spoils after Niall Cooney was also dismissed in injury time.
BRAY WANDERERS: McGuinness; Cooney, Mitchell, Webster, Barker; Scully, G Kelly, Zambra (Hughes 88), Hanlon; Cassidy; J Kelly.
Scorers: Mitchell 45+2.
Red card: Cooney 90+2.
DERRY CITY: Doherty; Kelly, S McEleney, Barry (McBride 89), Jarvis; Tracey (Boyle 96), Houston, Lowry (Curran 46), Timlin; McNamee; Patterson.
Scorers: Patterson 62.
Red card: Kelly 84.
Referee: R Rogers (Dublin).
DAIRE WALSH