Cork City stay three points clear at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table when goals in each half from Denis Behan and Colin Healy gave them a comfortable victory over struggling Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Cork, now with a remarkable nine wins and a draw in their last ten league games, had early chances when first Cillian Lordan cut in from the right on 20 minutes to set up a chance for Latvian striker Guntars Silagailis, only to see his effort blocked by defender Dane Massey.

Bray went close to the breaking the deadlock when midfielder Chris Shields created the opening for winger Paddy Kavanagh to fire wide of the taget. But Cork were quickly back on the offensive with Behan's effort saved by Bray 'keeper Chris O'Connor after midfielder Joe Gamble had opened up the home defence.

Cork were not to be denied and grabbed the lead on 35 minutes after a rehearsed free kick routine between Behan and Healy which allowed Abbeyfeale man Healy to fire in a shot from 30 yards which took a slight deflection off Bray's Daire Doyle into the corner of the net. It was Healy's fourth league goal of the season.

The visitors made victory certain when Healy added a second goal on 54 minutes when rounding O'Connor to plant the ball in the Bray net after a clever ball from Behan beat the offside trap.

Despite the introduction of second half substitutes John Mulroy and Dave O'Neill, there was no way back for Bray who stay anchored in the relegation zone after this third defeat in a row. Without ever having to move into top gear, Cork were always in the driving seat in a one-sided second half.

Bray Wanderers: O'Connor; Webster, Foran, Deans (O'Neill 67), Massey; Doyle (Mulroy 45), Shields, Mulcahy, Brennan, Kavanagh; Byrne (Kelly 89).

Cork City: Connor; Sullivan, Murray, O'Halloran, Murphy; Healy, Gamble (Dennehy 70), Lordan; Silagailis, Behan (Kiely 81), Kuduzovic.

Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)