Derry City ... 3 Bray Wanderers ... 1Derry City got back to winning ways at the Brandywell last night following this comprehensive defeat of injury-stricken Bray Wanderers.

It would appear that the home side's decision not to parade the recently secured FAI Cup proved positive. With Kevin Mahon having to reshuffle his pack due to a number of injuries, the home side started with an experimental strike force of Sean Hargan and Tommy McCallion.

And it was Hargan who put the home side in the driving seat after just seven minutes. With Philip Keogh having failed to adequately clear his line, Hargan nipped in to drive the ball home from 12 yards.

But the home side did not build on that advantage and, on occasions, lived dangerously at the back.

Indeed, two minutes before the break Bray striker John Flood was denied by a brilliant save from Derry's Alan Gough.

But four minutes into the second half the home side doubled their lead following a blunder by goalkeeper John Walsh.

Eamon Doherty's shot appeared to be covered by the goalkeeper but the ball seemed to slip through his hands and drop into the net.

Liam Coyle's introduction as substitute in the 52nd minute changed the pattern of the game in Derry's favour. In the 66th minute Coyle sent Doherty in for his second and Derry's third goal of the game.

But Bray, to their credit, refused to give up and they grabbed a consolation strike in the 78th minute when Eamon Xayed broke free to guide the ball past the advancing Gough.

Derry City: Gough; Boyle, McLaughlin, Hutton, E McCallion; Harkin, Martyn, Doherty, Friars; Hargan, T McCallion, Subs: Coyle for Boyle. 52 mins. McCready for P McCallion. 67 mins. Deery for Friars 79 mins.

Bray Wanderers: Walsh; O'Hanlon, Charles, Doohan, Keogh; O'Connor, Fox, Tresson, Forsyth; Xayed, Flood, Subs: Britton and Lawlor. for Doohan Flood (both 64 mins) Brack for O'Connor (71 mins)

Referee: Paul McKeon (Dublin)