Cork City rounded-off a rollercoaster day for the club by taking three points against Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross.

The Rebel Army look to have secured their presence in the League of Ireland after reportedly coming to an agreement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to outstanding monies owed. That news helped to encourage the players to earn a precious three points against Bray Wanderers, with Fahrudin Kudozovic scoring the only goal of the game.

The Cork City supporters were noisy throughout the match. One large poster that was hoisted prominently by Cork’s noisy “Rebel Army” brigade in the area known as “The Shed” said: “Here today, here forever”.

The players did their best to please the brave souls who defied the weather and produced a lively contest despite the existence of casual water in a couple of areas. The pools were still evident at kick-off in spite of being subject to intensive attention from the ground staff in the hours preceding the game.

Despite that the surface was in remarkable condition in view of the day’s incessant downpour but happily for all concerned the rain relented mid-way through the opening half and the ground staff moved quickly in the interval to re-mark the penalty areas.

The Bray Wanderers penalty area was the focus of attention for the opening forty-five minutes with Bray defending stubbornly in face of Cork’s eager attack. Despite the departure of Colin Healy and Denis Behan in the preceding week and the absence of Joe Gamble, Cork dictated the terms of the contest.

Cork took a long time to appreciate that the difficult conditions posed unusual difficulties for the goalkeeper but once they took the lead from a penalty in the 36th minute they suddenly began to test the range of Chris O’Connor’s ability in the Bray goal.

They should have scored earlier but Davin O’Neill lifted a header over the bar from six yards from Kuduzovic’s left wing cross in the 29^th minute when it seemed easier to score. But the goal that was promised by the persistent pressure they maintained was not long delayed.

Kuduzovic played a central role, catching Danny Murphy’s left wing cross on his chest and striking a volley from ten yards that flew straight at O’Connor. The goalkeeper scrambled to get the rebound in a race with Kuduzovic and when the Cork striker tumbled over his body the penalty was signalled. It was Kuduzovic who converted it.

Bray were nothing if not game and their youthful team worked hard to get forward in support of John Mulroy from a formation designed more for defence. They were denied an equaliser by Dan Connor’s marvellous save in the 38^th minute as he threw himself across goal to punch a 30 free from Dave Webster on to the crossbar

Cork should have stretched to safety in the minutes before half-time but Dennehy shot wide when he ran clear and the alert Chris O’Connor made a superb stop from the lively Kuduzovic.

Bray enjoyed more possession in the second half despite having to play the closing 22 minutes with only ten men. A cautions Cork seemed all too willing to pull numbers into defence whenever they lost possession.

Substitute Jake Kelly lost two great chances of an equaliser, shooting wide in the 64^th minute when a mistake by Kevin Long left him clear and then being denied as goalkeeper Dan Connor dived low to save a shot from 15 yards.

Bray’s eagerness to find an equaliser left them vulnerable whenever Cork hit on the break and their prospects were not helped when Stephen Brennan was sent off in the 68th minute.

Brennan was shown a yellow card, presumably for dissent, and this was quickly followed by red as he appeared to continue to voice his dis-approval after the censure.

Goalkeeper Chris O’Connor had kept Bray in it with a brave dive at Kuduzovic’s feet in the 50^th minute and they continued to work with spirit and commitment as they chased a division of the points.

As Bray grew in confidence and in effect, it was an anxious Cork who welcomed the arrival of the final whistle with their emotional fans roaring their approval and their undying support.

Cork City (4-4-2): Connor; Horgan, Long, Murray, Murphy; Davin O’Neill (Silagailis 81), Lordan, O’Donnell, Dennehy; Cambridge (Kiely 70), Kuduzovic.

Bray Wanderers (4-5-1): O’Connor; Doyle, Foran, Webster, Knight (Coughlan 55); Dave O’Neill (Kelly 55), Brennan, Shields, Mulcahy, Massey; Mulroy (Tuohy 72).

Referee: Mr. P. Sutton (Clare).