Jason Byrne's opportunism beat Shamrock Rovers at Morton Stadium yesterday as the striker scored twice to lift his side to fourth.
Bray took the lead when goalkeeper John Walsh's kick-out bounced through to Byrne who headed the ball over the advancing Robbie Horgan.
It should have been 2-0 on the half hour. Byrne cleverly flicked on a Colm Tresson free-kick for O'Connor, who shaved the crossbar with a right-foot volley.
Sean Francis gave a disjointed Rovers the psychological lift of an equaliser a minute before the break, however. Gareth Cronin headed Pascal Vaudequin's free-kick back across goal where Francis applied the finishing touch.
The Rovers defence, which reshuffled at the break due to an injury to Billy Woods, hadn't learned the lessons of Bray's opening goal as they fell to the route-one approach again on 54 minutes. Once more Walsh's clearance found Byrne, who trapped the ball on the edge of the area before turning to drill a left-foot shot beyond Horgan.
Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Vaudequin, Palmer, Cronin, Woods; Robinson, Colwell, Tracey, Byrne; Francis, Cousins. Subs: Jackson for Woods (half-time), Kenny for Colwell (73 mins), Stewart for Byrne (79 mins).
Bray Wanderers: Walsh; Doohan, Tresson, Charles; Gifford, Fox, Long, Farrell; O'Connor, Byrne, Keogh.
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
