Sligo Rovers stay unbeaten after seven Premier Division games when
a goal in the thid minute of a added time by substitute Dean Marshall
gave them a dramatic late victory over  bottom of the table Bray
Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.
The three points looked unlikely when Jake Kelly had Bray level
on 90 minutes with a penalty - but brave Sligo were to have the final
say with that sensational late winner.
Bray looked dangerous in the early stages when first central
defender Shane O'Connor shot just over the top from 14 yards and then
winger Richie Baker was off target from close range.
But the Seagulls were lucky not to go behind on six minutes when
a Gary McCabe cross from the right allowed John Dillon to get ina shot
which produced a brilliant reaction save from 'keeper Brian Kane. The
ball was eventually headed away to safety by veteran Colm Tresson.
Sligo  striker Matthew Blinkhorn twice had chances to put his
side in the lead  but first headed wide after a McCabe corner and then
another downward header rebounded over the bar.
Against the run of play Bray took the lead on 18 minutes when a
long throw in on the right by Daire Doyle saw Sligo 'keeper Richard
Brush drop the ball in what was to be a real comedy of errors.
The resulting volley by Shane O'Neill was blocked by defender
Alan Keane only to rebound off the face of the unfortunate Brush and
into the net.
But Sligo were level on 36 minutes when another  McCabe cross
from the right was firmly headed home at the far corner by midfielder
Conor O'Grady.
Paul Cook's team deservedly had their noses in front on 59
minutes when the always dangerous McCabe supplied a quick free on the
left for striker  Padraig Amond to cooly slip the ball past the
advancing Kane from 12 yards
Bray went close to an equaliser  when a Baker header was
delected for a corner after a long free from defender Dane Massey. But
Sligo also went close  when Amond's effort was well saved by Kane
after a neat interchange with Blinkhorn.
Then came all that late drama with Bray level on 90 minutes
when a Dean Zambra cross saw substitute striker Pablo Rodriguez taken
down by Sligo defender Mauro Almeida. Jake Kelly made no mistake with
the spot kick.
To their credit Sligo refused to lie down and Marshall struck
that late, late winner when a long free from 'keeper Ciaran Kelly was
knocked down by Blinkhorn for Eoin Doyle to set up the chance for
Marshall to shoot home from close range.s
Bray Wanderers - Kane; D.Doyle, O'Connor, Tresson,
Massey; Mulroy, Kavanagh, Zambra,  Baker (Brennan 78) ;
O'Neill (J. Kelly 37), R.Doyle (Rodriguez 60).. Subs. not used
- Webster and Donnelly. Goals - Brush o.g. 18.Kelly (pen.) 90, yellow
card - Kavanagh 90.

Sligo Rovers - Brush (C.Kelly 45) ; Ventre, Peers,
Almeida , Keane ; Dillon  (E.Doyle 79), O'Grady, Ryan, McCabe (Marshall 79); Blinkhorn, Amond

. Subs.not used - Doninger and
Foran.. Goals - O'Grady 36, Almond 59. Marshall 90+3,Yellow card -
Almeida 90.

Referee: David McKeon (Dublin).