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Rovers move on up

Shamrock Rovers - 2 Bray Wanderers - 1: NATIONAL LEAGUE/Premier Division: Struggling Shamrock Rovers leapfrogged over Bray Wanderers…

Sat Sept 21 2002 - 01:00

Shamrock Rovers - 2 Bray Wanderers - 1:NATIONAL LEAGUE/Premier Division: Struggling Shamrock Rovers leapfrogged over Bray Wanderers to move out of the bottom three after last night's Premier Division clash at Tolka Park. It took a goal 11 minutes from the end to secure the points but it was an uneasy night for the home side.

Rovers got off to a good start, twice opening their opponents within 90 seconds of the kick-off. Tony Grant was handed the best chance when a ball played in saw him in a one-on-one with the keeper. But the frontman's low strike was disappointing.

There was no doubting the home side's urgency but again their sharpness in front of goal was found wanting, with Noel Hunt, their leading scorer, unable to connect properly with Stephen Grant's cross from the right.

There was a brief scare at the other end when Barry O'Connor connected with a Maurice Farrell free but Tony O'Dowd produced a reflex save to tip O'Connor's effort away to safety.

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It was the wake-up call Rovers needed and, in their next attack they went ahead, when a goalkeeping error from Matt Gregg gave Tony Grant the simplest of tap-ins at the far post after Stephen Grant had crossed from just inside the touchline.

Rovers should have had a more comfortable lead at half-time, with Hunt squandering two chances before the break.

Bray began the second well with O'Connor twice coming close to an equaliser.

And with the Bray midfield starting to find their men, the Rovers defence looked less than solid. On 72 minutes, Paul Forsythe picked out an unmarked O'Connor, who headed past the stranded O' Dowd from five yards out.

Rovers got their noses back in front on 79 minutes when substitute Seán Francis played in a low ball from the sideline and Hunt converted at the far post.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Costello, Palmer, Scully, Byrne; Stephen Grant, Colwell, Dimech, Keddy; Tony Grant, Hunt. Subs: Francis for Tony Grant (60 mins), Robinson for Stephen Grant (68 mins), Treacy for Dimech (80 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; Britton, Charles, Tresson, Farrell; O' Connor, Gormley, Keogh, Ryan; Byrne, Forsythe. Subs: Fox for Ryan (half-time), Zayed for O'Connor (88 mins).

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).