Bray Wanderers 2 Dundalk 0
It proved third time luck for Bray as they got the better of Dundalk.
Back in July at Oriel Park, the Lilywhites won an Michael Hayes Cup tie 4-2.
Later that month at the same venue, the Louth side claimed a EA SPORTS MU15 League of Ireland Tier 2 North 4-0 victory.
But two goals in the first period this time round saw Wanderers claim all three points in the reverse fixture at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday.
Having been fouled in the fourth minute, Alex Mernagh picked himself up to brilliantly curl in a 25-yard free-kick.
That lead was doubled in the 27th minute.
Dundlak tried to play out from the back. Conor Cunningham won the ball in a sliding tackle. The ball ran to Olivier Gnutek who slipped Cunningham in wide left. He burst into the box before expertly placing a side footed finish to far left corner of the net.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind, the away team twice went close just before the interval.
From two Josh Weldon free-kick’s in the 43rd minute and in stoppage time, home custodian Elliot Homan pushed the ball over the bar then around his post.
In a tight second period, the Green and White's managed the game very well as they enjoyed the wind at their backs.
Mernagh went close with another free on the hour that glanced the side netting.
Then in the last minute of normal time, substitute Nathan Roberts Byrne broke from a counter attack. But with the goal gaping, Mernagh was just unable to apply the vital touch to the low centre.
Bray Wanderers: Elliot Homan; Cillian Walsh, Ryan Higgins, Jamie Lynch, Rhys Behan; Zac Lawlor, Lewis Brady, Alex Mernagh, Conor Cunningham; Daniel Howard; Olivier Gnutek.
Subs: Kristofer Marku, Nathan Roberts Byrne, Senan Dutton, Sean Goggin, Kyle Jackson.
Dundalk: Marcel Gora; Tomiwa Anunlopo, Ciarán Mullany, Tristan McGowan Doyle, Sean O'Brien; Jude McGinty, Jamie Grace; Dara Mortimer, Josh Weldon, Jamie Donnan; Ratson Takudzwa Dube.
Subs: Alexandre Yoka, Logan Hyland, Conall Whyte, Habiblahi Olatunde Animasahun, Magnus Eze Kamnani, Ricardo Dinu, Luke Cullen, Chinemenma Massimo Ngene, Aaron Sheridan.
Referee: Dominique Lachaussee (Wicklow ISRS).
* Elsewhere in the section, Sligo Rovers overcame Mayo FC 3-0 at the Showgrounds (Astro Turf). Drogheda United beat Derry City 5-3 at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Finn Harps defeated Longford Town 6-3 at the Letter Kenny Community Centre.
All the results mean Derry sit top of the table on 21 points from eight outings.
Drogheda are on 18 points after eight games, with Finn Harps on 15 points from eight fixtures.
Bray (nine matches), Dundalk (eight fixtures) and Sligo (nine games) are all on 13 points.
* Bray are away to Finn Harps at the Letterkenny Community Centre on Saturday September 13.
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