Cork's title bid falters

Bray Wanderers 1 Cork City 1: Cork City stretched their unbeaten record to 12 games but any lingering hopes of overtaking leaders Drogheda United were effectively ended when held to a draw by a battling Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

Bray, desperate to edge out of the relegation zone, made a bright start when midfielder Stephen Fox had a shot from the edge of the box blocked, only for Alan Cawley to see his effort on the rebound deflected wide. But the home side were not to be denied the lead on seven minutes.

A Cawley free on the right was nodded down by Chris Deans for Patrick Kavanagh to execute a magnificent overhead kick from eight yards into the roof of the net.

Cork introduced Cillian Lordan for Brian O'Callaghan at half-time and that seemed to pep up the visiting side with midfielder Colin Healy having a shot saved by Steve Williams.

Cork manager Damien Richardson was ordered from the bench after a difference of opinion with referee Tom Connolly. But that only spurred his team on and they were level on 63 minutes.

A precision cross by Gareth Farrelly from the right was headed home by in-form striker Denis Behan from close range for a remarkable 10th goal in seven games and his 15th of the season.

BRAY WANDERERS: Williams; Ivory, Deans, Kenny, Cronin; Kavanagh, Cawley, Fox, McCabe (O'Shea, 57); Omwubiko (Dunphy, 64), Georgescu (Caffrey, 74).

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, O'Callaghan (Lordan, 45), Kelly, Woods; Farrelly, Healy, O'Brien, Kearney; Behan, McSweeney.

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times