Bray Wanderers see themselves seven points of the summit following their first home defeat in their last seven, at the hands of Wexford.
Wanderers left a lot to be desired up front all throughout the game, creating many chances but in the end only converting one.
The first chance of the game fell to Bray, with Guillermo Almirall delivering a cross into the centre, Harvey Warren met it with his head and struck the post.
It was an end to end beginning to proceedings at the Carlisle, but it was Wexford who opened the scoring, when Mikie Rowe smashed in a half volley from close range after 17 minutes.
Bray had plenty of chances to level it in the first half, notably when Max Murphy tried his luck from miles out, but the strike was brilliantly saved by Wexford goalkeeper Paul Martin, who had all the answers in the first half.
Bray definitely had the chances to be leading at the break, but it was Wexford who took a slender one nil lead going into the dressing rooms.
The Wanderers started the second half well, with Guillermo Almirall finally beating Martin, only to be denied by a spectacular goal line clearance from Dean Larkin.
Bray suffered a blow after 52 minutes, when centre back Harvey Warren came off due to injury. He was replaced by Paul Murphy and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for next Friday’s encounter with Finn Harps.
Almirall came close AGAIN, the Spaniard unleashed a long range effort, and this time he struck the crossbar. The Seagulls appeared to be edging ever closer to the equaliser.
Just two minutes later, Bray finally found the back of the net. Jimmy Corcoran smashed the ball up to Rhys Knight around the halfway line, who threaded his pass through to Max Murphy, who’s header beat Paul Martin.
The high spirits in the Carlisle didn’t last long, however, as Wexford responded brilliantly, as just three minutes later, Mikie Rowe sliced one across the grass from outside the box, the ball took a massive deflection off Benjamin Fagbemi, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Corcoran couldn’t do anything, and Wexford were once again in the lead.
Bray offered very little going foward for the remaining 30 minutes of the game, and with Wexford content with the one goal lead, the game fizzled out to a frustratingly dull end.
This was Bray’s first defeat at home in seven games, but they can’t complain about the defeat. It was an underwhelming performance from Bray up front, with Wexford there for the taking but The Wanderers just unable to find that finishing touch.
This defeat sees Bray fall down to 3rd in the table, with Dundalk and Cobh winning their games. The Wanderers sit one point behind Cobh in second and seven points off Dundalk at the top.
For Wexford, the importance of this win cannot be overstated, with the Slaneysiders getting back to winning ways after four without a victory, and also keeping their place in the playoff positions.
MOTM: My man of the match has to be Paul Martin, he was completely unbeatable. Everytime Bray looked like they may find a way through, Martin stood tall and ultimately secured all three points for the Slaneysiders.