First Division round-up: Bray beat Finn Harps in Ballybofey

Chris McNulty Chris McNulty | 08-03 08:15

John O'Sullivan bagged a debut goal as Bray Wanderers overcame Finn Harps to maintain their play-off bid.

O'Sullivan, the 18-year-old attacker making his Seagulls debut after moving on loan from Shamrock Rovers, set Bray up with the opening goal of the night.

Guillermo Almirall scored what proved to be the winner in the second half after Jamie Watson levelled matters for Harps.

The battle for the play-off spots is really hotting up, with only seven points separating the five teams from Bray in fourth to Treaty in eighth.

O'Sullivan opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Ex-Harps defender Killian Cantwell, now the Bray captain, headed off the upright from a Max Murphy corner and O'Sullivan forced home on the rebound.

It was from a Murphy shot that seemed goalbound that Bray earned the corner, Harps goalkeeper Tim Hiemer denying his powerful shot with a superb save with the tips of his fingers.

Harps had lived dangerously in the early moments, with Almirall striking the crossbar and Kieran Cruise only denied when home defender Conor Tourush slid in with a perfectly executed tackle.

The Donegal side got back on level terms in the 41st minute. Jamie Watson made ground deep into Bray territory and from the edge of the area the Scottish full-back fired past James Corcoran.

Harps frontman Sean Patton, who spent a week on trial at EFL side Portsmouth recently, had an earlier opportunity for an equaliser but his backheel was wide from close range.

Harps were inches from taking the lead in the opening minute of the second half. Experienced midfielder David Cawley burst through and, with his first attempt, hit the post before firing wide on the follow-up.

Bray got their noses back in front on 67 minutes. With Hiemer looking like he had things covered, Harps defender Noe Baba put out behind for a corner and Cruise's set-piece made its way to the far post for Almirall.

The Spanish midfielder managed to carve out a shooting chance and picked out the bottom corner with a clinical finish.

Two minutes from the end, Paul Murphy headed narrowly over with a chance to put the game beyond Harps' reach.

Elsewhere in the second tier, Athlone Town and Kerry FC had to settle for a point each after a topsy-turvy encounter ended in a 3-3.

Leonardo Gaxha opened the scoring for Athlone in the 33rd minute just two weeks after departing Kerry for the midlanders, but Oran Crowe and Andrew Spain had the visitors ahead at the break.

Kerry extended their advantage when Ryan Kelliher gave his side a two-goal buffer in the 58th minute, but goal from Brian Torre and Dylan Hand ensured the sides finished level on the night.

Jack Larkin earned Cobh Ramblers a 1-0 home win over Longford Town, while Treaty United held runaway league leaders Cork City 1-1 in Limerick, and UCD and Wexford shared the spoils on the same scoreline.

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish, Noe Baba (Patrick Ferry 88), Matthew Makinson; Max Hutchison, David Cawley (Aaron McLaughlin 81); Max Johnston (Luke O'Brien 67), Success Edogun, Sean Patton (Gavin McAteer 88).

Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Max Murphy, Killian Cantwell, Paul Murphy Zach Nolan; Guillermo Almirall, Darren Craven (Cole Omorehiomwan 90), John O'Sullivan (Zayd Abada 81), Harry Groome, Kieran Cruise (Conor Knight 90); Ben Feeney (Peter Grogan 65).

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd.

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