Shamrock Rovers’ pursuit of leaders Bohemians continues apace after the Hoops stormed back from a 1-0 half time deficit to see off Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium.

They now trail the champions by a single point and with the Gypsies on EA Sports Cup duty next weekend, Rovers have a golden opportunity to seize the initiative ahead of the big derby clash here in two weeks time.

The Seagulls took a shock lead just 16 minutes in as Gareth Coughlan forced Ollie Cahill to concede a corner for the right and Coughlan’s diving header from John Flood’s flick on and Dane Massey’s delivery was stopped on the line by Barry Johnston.

But the clearance fell to Dave Webster and the centre half sent a shot beyond the despairing Alan Mannus and into the roof of the net.

Back came the Hoops and they should have been at least level at the break as twice Wanderers had to clear shots off the line.

Aidan Price had a header saved by Chris O’Connor before Padraig Amond’s overhead kick flew just wide.

And on the half hour mark, O’Connor spilled Ross Chisholm’s corner at the feet of Gary Twigg, but the League’s top scorer was denied by Massey on the post.

Seven minutes later Twigg threaded a ball through to Amond but his effort was turned away by Derek Pender before Bray ventured forward with Mannus saving from Coughlan and Massey’s instinctive effort flying just over the bar.

Michael O’Neill brought Dessie Baker in a the break to liven the attack up, but it was his second substitution that brought the equaliser as Sean O’Connor’s first touch led to the equaliser.

Pat Sullivan’s short corner caught Bray napping and O’Connor’s deep cross found Stephen Rice at the back post and the former Bohs man slid in to level after 56 minutes.

O’Connor again provided the second ten minutes later as his cross took a touch of Chris Deans allowing Twigg to steal between defenders and head home.

And the comeback was completed after 74 minutes as O’Connor again found Twigg from Stephen Bradley’s deep cross and the ace poacher made no mistake to grab his 21st goal of the season and complete the comeback.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sullivan, Treacy, Price, Cahill; Bradley (Barrett 84), Johnston, Rice, Chisholm (O’Connor 54); Twigg, Amond (Baker 45).

Bray Wanderers: O’Connor; Pender, Webster, Deans, Cronin (Kelly 78); McCabe (O’Neill 81), Massey, Brennan, Doyle, Coughlan (Mulroy 60); Flood.

Ref: T Connolly (Dublin).