SECOND HALF goals from Stephen Bradley, Dave Mulcahy and Anto Murphy kept St.Patrick's Athletic very much in Premier Division title contention with a comfortable victory over Bray Wanderers.

This Carlisle Grounds win means St Pat's have collected ten points from their last four games while Bray, after such an encouraging start to the season, have recorded just one win in their last six league games.

With survival in the top flight next season already guaranteed, it was very much an experimental Seagulls line-out with both Adam Mitchell and Danny O'Connor suspended and skipper Gary Dempsey still ruled out by injury.

Bray had an early appeal for a penalty turned down by Cork referee Alan Kelly when Dave Mulcahy appeared to handle a shot by midfielder Daire Doyle inside the box.

The Inchicore men might have taken the lead on 24 minutes when a cross from the right by defender Derek Pender saw Danny North in a clash for possession with 'keeper Darren Quigley in the goalmouth. Fortunately for Bray, central defender Shane O'Connor was back to clear.

The Saints again went close on 32 minutes when a cross from the left by defender Ian Bermingham enabled the always dangerous North to get in a glancing header just wide of the upright.

North, who had been booked earlier, was surprisingly substituted six minutes later - perhaps with manager Pete Mahon having one eye on Monday's vital league fixture against Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park.

St Pat's again went close just before the interval when an Evan McMillan header from 12 yards was just over the bar after a corner by Stephen Bradley on the right.  Then in stoppage time Anto Murphy had an effort parried  by Bray 'keeper Quigley and from the rebound midfielder Mulcahy's shot was cleared by Dave Webster.

Then Bray had a chance in the third minute of added first half time when a Danny McGuinness cross from the right was missed by 'keeper Gary Rogers but in-rushing winger Kevin Knight just failed to make the vital connection.

St Pat's took up where they left  off early in the second half when Daryl Kavanagh had a header deflected over for a corner after a dangerous cross from Berningham on the left.

The visitors had appeals for a penalty on 50 minutes when Graham Kelly appeared to handle an effort from Mulcahy.  Then Paul Shields headed off the line after Bermingham cross shot looked destined for the net.

But all that pressure was bound to tell with the visitors taking the lead on 53 minutes Shane O'Connor was shown the yellow card for a foul on Sean O'Connor inside the box. Stephen Bradley made no mistake with the resulting penalty sending Quigley the wrong way.

Two minutes later the Saints stretched their lead when a spectacular Mulcahy volley from 20 yards flew into the roof of the net giving Quigley no chance.  It was all one way traffic now and no surprise when the visitors grabbed a third goal on 67 minutes.

This time a low cross from substitute Ian Daly on the right was hammered home from 15 yards by Murphy with the Bray defence in disarray. 

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, Shane O'Connor, Shields, Houston; J Kelly, Doyle, G Kelly (Zambra 61), Knight; C Murphy (O'Neill 70), McGuinness (Shaw 61).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, E McMillan, Kenna, Bermingham; A Murphy, Bradley, McFaul, Mulcahy (Crowley 80), Sean O'Connor; Kavanagh, North (Daly 38).

REFEREE: A Kelly (Cork).