Bray Wanderers ... 1 Shamrock Rovers ... 1 A dramatic late equaliser from teenage striker Eamon Zayed in the 98th minute earned Bray Wanderers a precious point in yesterday's Premier Division clash with Shamrock Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Rovers looked set to be on the way to another victory and a possible place in next season's UEFA Cup when Trevor Molloy put them ahead on 16 minutes. But Bray refused to lie down and Zayed stroked home the equaliser in the eighth minute of added time in the second half.
Waterford referee Jimmy O'Neill decided to add on a total of 11 minutes, the bulk of that for the time required to give treatment to Bray central defender Jody Lynch after he became involved in a tangle near the corner flag with Rovers striker Noel Hunt in the 83rd minute. The outcome was that Lynch was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder and Hunt was booked.
Rovers will regret that Hunt appeared to lose control at such a late stage. While still unbeaten in their last eight games, the Hoops will regard the final outcome as two points lost rather than one gained and remain in fourth place in the table.
Liam Buckley's team had started strongly when Hunt had a shot on the turn from 15 yards deflected into the side-netting. Jason Byrne and Graham Lawlor then combined cleverly for Bray to enable Paul Forsyth to set up the chance for Zayed. But his effort too was deflected for a corner.
James Keddy went close to breaking the deadlock only to miscue a cross from Shane Robinson. But the breakthough came on 16 minutes with Molloy's third goal in two starts for Rovers since signing from Carlisle United.
With three minutes remaining Forsyth set up a chance for Byrne whose effort from ten yards was parried by O'Dowd only for Zayed to stroke home a deserved equaliser.
BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Tresson, Lynch, O'Hanlon, Long; Byrne, Fox, Keogh, Forsyth; Zayed, Lawlor. Subs: Flood for Lawlor (55 mins.), O'Reilly for Fox (73 mins.), O'Connor for Lynch (88 mins.).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Gough, Scully, Palmer, Deans; Robinson, Colwell, Tracey, Keddy; Molloy, Hunt. Sub: S.Grant for Keddy (81 mins).
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
