Bray Wanderers limped to within inches of the First Division as Limerick renewed their narrow hopes of catching eighth-placed Sligo Rovers. Only overturning a goal difference of 25 goals and winning their final four games will be enough for the Sea
Bray Wanderers limped to within inches of the First Division as Limerick renewed their narrow hopes of catching eighth-placed Sligo Rovers.
Only overturning a goal difference of 25 goals and winning their final four games will be enough for the Seagulls and based on the evidence of this miserable tie versus Limerick, they can begin planning for life in the second-tier.
Strikes from Barry Maguire and Connor Ellis moved Limerick to within eight points of Sligo Rovers with 12 still on offer as they made it four victories from four against Bray in 2018. Some slapstick defending from the Seagulls handed the visitors the opener.
No defender tracked Shane Duggan's darting run as he latched onto a pass in the penalty area. O'Connor rushed from his goal and was beaten by Duggan who kept his balance and squared it for Maguire who tapped home as the inquest began in the home defence.
A Bray corner kick almost cost them a goal in the 27th minute. The short corner to Kevin Lynch saw his cross cleared quickly and Limerick broke two-on-two. Shane Duggan pushed it forward for Cantwell who tried to return the pass but his attempted back-heel was unnecessarily over-elaborate and Bray cut it out.
When Limerick did grab their second goal, Bray once again shouldered a rather large portion of the blame. O'Sullivan's cross from the right was ready by Conor Kenna but instead of putting his foot through it; he put it on it and Connor Ellis reacted quickly to accept the gift-wrapped chance and double Limerick's lead.
At the interval, Wanderers switched to a three-man defence but it failed to spark a comeback as the Co. Wicklow club's 12-year stint in the top flight remains hanging the thinnest of threads.
