Shane McFaul broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when he drifted in front of his marker to connect with Conan Byrne's corner and flick the ball beyond Bray keeper Brian Kane.

 

The Ravens remain part of the pack leading the way in the title race and this win should prove crucial later in the season as they were missing some key players.

 

With centre-backs Stephen Paisley, Shaun Maher and Kenny Browne all unavailable, Sporting boss Liam Buckley handed a first start to youngster Kevin Dawson and switched Shaun Williams to the centre of defence.

 

On 6 minutes Eamon Zayed pulled the ball back to midfielder Alan Kirby, who screwed his shot wide when he should have hit the target.

 

Bray spent most of the game chasing their opponents, but they did come close to scoring when Dave Webster blasted a free-kick wide after good work from Jake Kelly.

 

But it was the home team that looked the most likely to light up the scoreboard and that proved to be the case when McFaul saw his header fly into the back of the net.

 

After that Zayed should have done better from close range, while Byrne was off target with a shot from distance as Sporting kept the pressure on.

 

It was in the second-half when Bray really stepped things up and showed that they can mix it with any team in the top flight. Robbie Doyle unleashed a shot from distance that Sporting's Darren Quigley did well to save.

 

Then Ian Tuohy wasted a fine chance at the back post, while Kelly saw a header crash back off the crossbar. Those missed opportunities came back to haunt the Seagulls as they lost by a single goal.

 

Sporting did have their chances to increase their lead with Byrne chipping over from distance, Kirby unable to hit the target and McFaul forcing Kane into a good save.

 

But Liam Buckley's men sealed the win and will go into Friday's showdown with Drogheda United full of confidence.

 

Sporting Fingal: Quigley; Dawson, O'Brien, Williams, Fitzgerald; Finn, McFaul, Kirby; Byrne, Crowe (O'Neill 85), Zayed (Quinn 66).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Clarke, James, Boyd.

 

Bray Wanderers: Kane; S O'Connor, Tresson, Webster, Massey; Tuohy (A O'Connor 79), Shields, Brennan (O'Brien 79), Tyrrell (Georgescu 86); Kelly, Doyle.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Vickers, Kavanagh.

 

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin)