Bottom club Bray Wanderers ended Drogheda United's six-match unbeaten record with a crucial win at United Park last night - but only after surviving a second-half onslaught from Alan Mathews' men.

 

Drogheda were boosted by the inclusion on the subs bench of Guy Bates, whose international clearance came through less than three hours before kick-off.

 

But after a scrappy start in which both sides struggled to adapt to the blustery conditions, it was the visitors who struck in the 12th minute.

 

A Bray corner kick wasn't properly cleared, and when the ball was swept back into the box Ian Ryan and Paul Skinner got their wires crossed and full-back Ryan headed past his keeper for an own goal.

 

Buoyed by this unexpected gift, the Seagulls pushed forward again and Shane O'Neill shot wide from 25 yards after an enterprising run from midfield.

 

Incredibly, the bottom club made their foray into Drogheda territory count. Gary McCabe seized on a loose ball some 30 yards from goal and sent a stunning left-foot shot.

 

Shell-shocked Drogheda woke from their slumbers at this stage and Bray keeper Chris O'Connor clutched a Jamie Duffy shot at the second attempt.

 

And the Boynesiders were back in business on 39 minutes after Duffy was impeded by Dave Webster 25 yards from goal out on the right. James Chambers swerved the resulting free kick towards the near post but the ball was clearly handled by Paddy Kavanagh in the defensive wall.

 

Referee Damien Hancock immediately pointed to the spot and Shane Barrett stepped forward to score his third goal in four games, giving the Drogs hope for the second half.

 

Bates replaced Duffy during the break and immediately began to make his presence felt in the Boynesiders' attack, forcing a series of corner kicks.

 

Chambers and Barrett both went close, before a superb five-man move ended with a Paul Shiels shot which was brilliantly tipped away by O'Connor. Bates then saw his free kick saved by the Bray netminder before a similar effort flew over the crossbar.

 

In the closing stages the Seagulls were forced to hang on grimly as the Boynesiders fashioned chance after chance, but hang on their did and the three points see Bray draw level with Sligo at the bottom.

 

Drogheda United: Skinner, Ryan (Crowley 73), McNally, Kenna, R Clarke, King, Chambers, Shiels, Martin (McGill 64), Duffy (Bates 46), Barrett.

 

Bray Wanderers: O'Connor, Pender, Foran, Webster, Knight (Massey 58), Kavanagh, Brennan (D O'Neill 79), Mulcahy, Shields, McCabe, S O'Neill (Mulroy 85).

 

Referee: D. Hancock (Dublin).