A double strike from Barry O'Connor helped Bray Wanderers to a well-deserved victory over fellow strugglers, Kilkenny City at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

O Connor had come on for the injured Mick Doohan with just eight minutes gone and he didn't take long to make his mark when he headed home Eddie Gormley's cross on the quarter hour. Bray's leading marksman from last season then made it two on 29 minutes with an unstoppable volley after being played in by Matt Britton. Jason Byrne made the game safe with five minutes to go.

BRAY WANDERERS: Van Boxtel; Campbell, Lynch, Doohan, Farrell; Keogh, = Gormley, Dempsey, Britton; Byrne, Ryan. Subs: B O'Connor for Doohan (8 mins), O Brien for Byrne (86 mins).

KILKENNY CITY: Forde; Mulcahy, Brennan, Riordan, Byrne, Brunton; Costello, Mc Grath, O' Hanlon; Knight, Kabia. Subs: Parkes for Kabia (69 mins), Mullen for McGrath (46 mins).

Referee: A O' Regan (Cork).