Late Zayed penalty gives Bray the points
Carlisle Grounds: Bray Wanderers 3 (Charles 8, McGuinness 44, Zayed 86 (pen))
Kildare County 2 (Brennan 27, Whelehan 36)
Recent signing Robbie McGuinness excelled once more in the Bray midfield as the Seagulls took the lead on 8 minutes with a close range shot from 27-year-old defender Wesley Charles, his first goal for the club.
However Pat Devlin’s side soon found themselves a goal behind with County defenders Damien Brennan and Ben Whelehan finding the net, both within ten minutes of each other. Whelehan’s fifth goal of the season was cancelled out on 44 minutes as Bray levelled at two-apiece through midfielder McGuinness’ low twelve yard drive.
As it looked likely that both sides, second and third in the table, would settle for a stalemate, the home side sprung striker Kieran O’Brien from the bench and replaced defender Colm James with midfielder Michael Lawless as they pressed for the winner. It duly arrived on 86 minutes when Eamon Zayed converted a spot kick earned from an interchange between O'Brien and the U20 international. Zayed tumbled over the clumsy challenge of Ben Whelehan and he goaled to condemn Hannigan to his first defeat at Kildare boss.
Athlone surprise Limerick to move off bottom
St Mel's Park: Athlone Town 2 (Molloy 64, O'Brien 73)
Limerick FC 0
When it was announced that Athlone would be missing six first team players for the visit of fifth-placed Limerick to St Mel’s Park, this result didn’t seem likely but second half goals from Eric Molloy and Ger O’Brien saw them gain a valuable three points.
Thursday’s 1-1 draw between Dundalk and Kilkenny City had plunged Town to twelfth position. But a shut out performance in the first half was improved in the second period when in the 64th minute, Eric Molloy put Athlone in front, blasting home Limerick keeper John Healy’s parry from Martin Reilly’s stinging shot.
Nine minutes later the points were sealed when defender Ger O’Brien abandoned his post, played a neat one-two with Des Hope and sallied into the Munster men’s area to slot under the advancing Healy. It was just the second win of the midlanders’ league season and pushes them into eleventh on the same points at Monaghan United, but worst off on goal difference by one.