Bray's late surge in vain

Three goals in the last eleven minutes weren't sufficient to salvage a point for Bray Wanderers as they lost ground on First …

Three goals in the last eleven minutes weren't sufficient to salvage a point for Bray Wanderers as they lost ground on First Division leaders Waterford United in an amazing 4-3 defeat to struggling St Francis at Baldonnel yesterday.

St Francis gave their best performance since joining the National League last season to run up a 4-0 lead in 70 minutes.

Former Bray player Phil Gormley opened the scoring with a 34th minute penalty after Pat O'Toole, making a return to the domestic game, handled inside the area.

Mark Patton and Mark Devlin scored twice inside four minutes early in the second-half to put St Francis in control before Gormley headed his second goal from Brendan Wynne's cross to make it 40 with 20 minutes to go.

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Bray staged a late rally but goals from Jody Lynch, in the 79th minute, Graham O'Hanlon, seven minutes later, and Pat O'Brien, a minute from time, weren't enough.

Longford Town moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 defeat of Monghan United at Gortakeegan to record their biggest win of the season.

Conor Frawley put Longford in front when punishing a defensive error to score in their first attack of the game two minutes before halftime.

Another defensive misunderstanding gifted Longford their second goal when Frankie Larkin capitalised to score in the 57th minute. Damien Dunleavy then sealed Longford's win with their third goal nine minutes later before Lee King scored from a 20 yard freekick to provide Monaghan's consolation ten minutes from the end.