Soccer

Eamon Zayed keeps Sligo Rovers’ European hopes alive

Bray Wanderers have won just one point from last nine Airtricity Premier Division games

Sligo Rovers’ Eamon Zayed: scored what proved to be the winner on 47 minutes at the Carlisle Grounds. Photograph: Inpho
Sligo Rovers’ Eamon Zayed: scored what proved to be the winner on 47 minutes at the Carlisle Grounds. Photograph: Inpho
Sat Aug 16 2014 - 01:00

Bray Wanderers 0 Sligo Rovers 1 An early second-half goal by Libyan international Eamon Zayed was enough to keep alive Sligo Rovers slim hopes of qualifying for European football next season with a narrow victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray, who have won just one point from their last nine Premier Division games, stay deep in the relegation zone.

Sligo had an early chance when a clever lob by striker Eamon Zayed was blocked by Bray goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness and then booted to safety. Bray looked threatening on eight minutes after a Graham Kelly corner on the right. Adam Mitchell tried to force the ball goalwards but the effort was smothered by alert goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

Sligo again looked dangerous when McGuinness blocked an angled shot from Seán Maguire with his feet. Bray almost broke the deadlock when a Joe Gorman cross was touched on by Ismahil Akinadi only for Philip Hughes to shoot wide from 18 yards.

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Sligo got their noses in front on 47 minutes when a high cross from Evan Millan was deflected off the head of Adam Mitchell to allow Zayed to turn and fire home from 15 yards past McGuinness.

Bray did have a chance of an equaliser when a glorious ball from midfield by Graham Kelly enabled David Cassidy to get in a shot from the edge of the box only to see his effort deflected for a corner. Late on Bray had further chances only for Mitchell to see his effort glance off the crossbar and then Akinade head over the top when well placed. BRAY WANDERERS: McGuinness; Barker (Kelly 78), Cooney, Mitchell, Gorman; O'Neill (Maloney 58), G.Kelly, Cassidy, Zambra, Akinade; Hughes. SLIGO ROVERS - Rogers; Keane, Spillane, Peers, Ledwith (Donelon 75); Maguire, Conneely, Cawley, Kavanagh (O'Conor 64); Zayed (Keating 88), McMillan. Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary).