Bray’s recent three-game unbeaten streak in the SSE Airtricity First Division came to an end on Friday after a disappointing 2-0 loss away to Treaty. 

A goal in each period at the Markets Field saw the Wicklow club fall to its first defeat against Treaty this season. 

In truth, it was a lacklustre display by the Seagulls who remain in fifth place; but still in the play-off positions approaching the mid-season break. 

From the team who’d beaten Cobh 3-1 last Monday at the Carlisle Grounds, there was one change to the line-up as Guillermo Almirall came into the starting XI. 

There was a welcome return on the bench for striker and joint-top goal scorer Peter Grogan after injury. 

Wanderers began well when Cristian Magerusan’s seventh minute low effort was blocked by a covering home defender before the goal-line. 

Seconds later at the other end, Stephen McGuinness make a fantastic save to keep out Stephen Christopher’s header. After the corner that followed, Magerusan makes a vital block from ex-Seasider Yoyo Mahdy’s attempt at the expense of another corner. 

Just before the half hour, Christopher skipped past two tackles in the penalty area but fired low just wide of the far upright. 

United then found the breakthrough in the 36th minute. 

Christopher’s pull back from the left of the box saw Mark Byrne shoot low. McGuinness got down low to push the ball out. But Mahdy followed up to score. 

McGuinness came to the rescue again in the 39th minute. Nikodem Kozlowski centred low from the right. Byrne slid to poke goal wards. But the keeper blocked brilliantly with his legs. 

Then in the 43rd minute, Freddie Turley’s speculative cross from the right almost caught out host netminder Corey Chambers - as the ball flashed across goal. 

Wanderers started the second period well. Shane Griffin’s 50th minute free into the box was headed up in the air. Paul Murphy headed from the six yard area. But straight into Chambers’ arms. 

The Shannonsiders though doubled their lead in the 56th minute. 

Christopher’s free was cleared back out to him out on the left. His cross found Robbie Lynch who headed back to the net at the near post. 

After a triple change by the visitors, Magerusan’s first shot in the box in the 69th minute was blocked. His second effort was then deflected out for a corner. 

With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Griffin hung up a cross from the left, but Magerusan headed over at the back stick. 

Treaty went close to a third goal on 81. 

McGuinness gets a hand to sub William Armshaw’s cross. Bray reserve Kieran Cruise then makes a superb block to prevent Christopher scoring. From the corner that followed, McGuinness keeps out Lynch’s effort. 

 

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch, Ben O'Riordan, Evan O'Connor, Fionn Doherty; Lee Devitt, Mark Walsh; Nikodem Kozlowski (William Armshaw 73), Stephen Christopher, Mark Byrne; Yoyo Mahdy (Alec Byrne 78). 

 

Subs not used: Oisin O'Reilly, Adam O'Halloran, Richkov Boevi, Leon Kirrane, Mark Murphy, Sean Costelloe, Michael Dike 

 

Booked: Lynch 22, O’Connor 49, Kozlowski 58. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Zach Nolan (Kieran Cruise 65); Darren Craven, Harry Groome (Thomas Morgan 84); Freddie Turley (Callum Thompson 65), Shane Griffin, Guillermo Almirall (Peter Grogan 65); Cristian Magerusan. 

 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Zayd Abada, Conor Knight, Josh McGlone, Ben Clark. 

 

Booked: Groome 37, Max Murphy 85, Cantwell 87, Lorcan Fitzgerald 88. 

 

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd. 

 

Pictures: Vincent Kirwan.