Bray Wandererss - 1 Waterford Utd - 0: A stunning 76th minute goal by striker Stephen Fox put Bray in the right mood for next week's Carlsberg FAI Cup semi-final against Drogheda United following a tense victory over Waterford in last night's Premier Division clash at the Carlisle Grounds.
There had to be sympathy for a battling Waterford side who produced the better chances scoring chances but could find no way past Bray keeper Chris O'Connor.
The 20-year-old Australian pulled off a string of top class saves in the first half to deny Waterford who had enough chances to win. But this defeat now leaves them struggling deep in the relegation zone with matches running out.
A free on the right by winger Colm Heffernan after just four minutes allowed defender Kevin Doherty to get in a header from close range that was brilliantly pushed round the post by O'Connor. That set the tone for the evening.
The alert Bray goalkeeper again came to his side's rescue when first blocking an effort from Blues' striker Rodney Jack and then getting back up to push away Heffernan's shot on the rebound at close range.
O'Connor was in the thick of the action again on 11 minutes when pushing over a powerful header by David Breen from 10 yards after a clever free by Heffernan.
Apart from some dangerous long throw-ins by midfielder Robbie Dunne, little was seen of a strangely subdued Bray as an attacking force with Waterford's keeper Packie Holden rarely under pressure.
Waterford kept pressing forward and should really have taken the lead early in the second half only for striker Vinnie Sullivan to lob the ball over the advancing O'Connor from the edge of the box - but the ball also went over the crossbar.
Bray needed to show more urgency in the second half and after getting to grips with the match eventually took the lead.
The ever eager Fox was rewarded for his alertness in the 76 minutes when he grabbed the all important goal after a long upfield clearance by O'Connor.
The striker was able to block down Doherty's attempted clearance and then calmly shoot left-footed from 16 yards into the corner of the net past Holden.
After that Bray never looked like losing that lead and comfortably held on for the three points that should secure their survival in the top flight for another season.
BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; O'Reilly, Tresson, Roche, Keogh; Dunne, Kevin O'Brien, Caffrey, Tyrell; Fox, Kieran O'Brien (Murphy 90).
WATERFORD UNITED: Holden; Breen, Doherty, Purcell, Hayes (Lyster 82); Crowley, Mulcahy, Grant, Heffernan; Jack (G.Dunphy 87), Sullivan.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
