Bray Wanderers 0 Bohemians 1
A second goal of the season for Adam Evans was more than sufficient to make it three wins from three for a dominant Bohemians at the Carlisle Grounds.
Keith Long’s Gypsies thus remain top of the table on goal difference ahead of Tuesday night’s visit of champions Dundalk to Dalymount Park.
Fielding an unchanged side for the third match running, Bohemians didn’t lack for confidence from the start with winger Evans having two early sights of goal which came to nothing.
Central defender Derek Prendergast had a goal disallowed for offside before the impressive visitors were inches from taking the lead on the half hour.
Captain Derek Pender's ball in from the right was set up by Dean Kelly for Kealan Dillon. The midfielder's half volley shaved the outside of a post.
Striker Kelly should have done better than plant a free header wide from Evans’ cross a minute before the interval.
It remained one-way traffic after the break as Lorcan Fitzgerald worked Stephen McGuinness in the Bray goal from distance four minutes in. A minute later Prendergast had a header cleared off the line by Bray skipper Alan McNally.
The home side finally got their first sight of goal on 53 minutes. Dave Scully's flick put Chris Lyons in. The little striker couldn't finish, however, as he shot into the side netting.
Bohemians remained well on top and got their fully deserved reward on 70 minutes. Buckley’s low cross ran through to the back post where Evans arrived to sidefoot the ball home.
BRAY WANDERERS: McGuinness; Barker, McNally, O'Reilly, Memery; Scully, McEvoy (Onwubiko, 83), Kelly, Gallagher, McGlynn (Hanlon, h/t); Lyons (Durrad, 69).
BOHEMIANS: Delany; Pender, Prendergast, A. Murphy, Fitzgerald; Kavanagh, Lopes, Dillon (Creevy, 59), Evans (Moore, 90+2); Buckley, Kelly (Griffin, 79).
Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).
