A two goal salvo in the space of fifteen second half minutes saw Bray deservedly take all three points from this one a result that gives them hope of catching Drogheda in what’s now developed into a two horse race to avoid automatic relegation from the Premier Division.

Drogheda began in blistering fashion and could have been ahead as early as the second minute but for the intervention of Wanderers keeper Matt Gregg who raced from his line to get a block on John Floods shot.

Peter Mc Mahon then curled the ball only just the wrong side of the post before calling Gregg into action once more as he did really well to get his body behind a rasping drive.

As the half wore on however Bray settled to their task and they should have hit the front coming to the half-hour when Sean Houston eased past several challenges down the left before crossing for Shane O’Neill whose header down into the turf sailed over the bar.

United enjoyed much the better of the early exchanges in the second half as Flood went close twice with a header and shot but the home side were rocked when Bray scored with 55 minutes gone.

A move begun by John Mulroy involving Jake Kelly and Danny O’Connor saw Mulroy all too easily ghost through the heart of the home defence before planting his shot past Robert Duggan.

Chris Shields was only inches away from making it two with his powerful shot, however, it wasn’t long before Wanderers did double their advantage.  Yet more shocking defending by Drogheda saw Daire Doyle’s cross from the right sail over Ryan Brennan to Jake Kelly who drove the ball first time to the net.

Before the finish the home side’s night of woe was compounded on the double when firstly Corie Treacy was sent off following a reckless challenge on Chris Shields and Eric McGill followed him for an early shower when he was booked for a second time right on the final whistle.

Drogheda United: Duggan, Treacy, Kendrick (Osbourne 78), McNally, McGill, Daly, Crowley (Meenan 79), Flood, McMahon, Fitzpatrick (McEnteggart 74), Brennan.

Bray Wanderers: Gregg, S O’Connor, Houston, Mitchell (Webster 61), Prendergast, D O’Connor, Doyle, G Kelly (Shields 10), O’Neill, Mulroy, J Kelly.

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).