Bray Wanderers missed the opportunity to move to joint second in the Premier Division yesterday, instead settling for a draw after both sides had a man sent off in the closing stages.

The visitors lost their goalkeeper Damien Bradley 10 minutes from time after he upended Jason Byrne on the edge of the box.

Then, with two minutes remaining, the Bray defender Wesley Charles was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Bray had a chance to score just after Charles's dismissal, but Philip Keogh's header from Byrne's cross hit the inside of the upright.

Harps also had an opportunity to grab a late winner, but Shane Bradley volleyed Fergal Harkin's corner just wide in injury time.

Bradley was in fine form for Harps, producing excellent saves to deny Byrne, Barry O'Connor and a long-range effort from Charles.

Harps player-manager Jonathan Speak squandered a clear opening in the 68th minute when, unmarked, he kicked fresh air just four yards from goal.

Bray Wanderers: Walsh; Charles, Doohan, Tresson, Farrell; Gifford, O'Connor, Long (Williamson, 82), Keogh; Smyth (O'Brien, 64), Byrne.

Finn Harps: D Bradley; R Kenny, Fitzhenry, S Bradley, Minnock; J Kenny, Harkin, Mohan, McGranaghan; Marrow (Speak, 67), McHugh (Tierney, 83).

Referee: Jim O'Neill (Waterford).

Monaghan United won for the first time in five games to rekindle their First Division promotion challenge with a 2-0 defeat of Limerick FC at Gortakeegan.

Paul Smyth headed them in front after 15 minutes following goalkeeper Robbie Forde's long clearance. Mick Scully added the second in the 68th minute when heading home a Peter Rogers free-kick.

A Cathal O'Connor goal extended Home Farm Fingal's unbeaten run to nine games as they beat St Francis 1-0 at Whitehall.