National League Premier Division/Bray wanderers - 2 Shelbourne - 2: A point on your travels is, more often than not, a good night's work for any side but Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon will feel somewhat aggrieved that his team were forced to divvy up the prize.
Goalkeeper Dean Delaney's spectacularly embarrassing gaffe, which afforded Bray a half-time lead, spoiled the visitors' tenacious second-half display. Ultimately, though, Shelbourne were compensated by Jason Byrne's late equaliser but, as the travelling support were all too aware, it could have been the clincher.
Bray, keen to start well against a side they've failed to beat in their previous 10 league encounters, ran impressive angles in the opening minutes but all too often the accompanying passes raced away from their intended targets.
Shelbourne, in turn, soaked up much of that loose play and Greg O'Halloran and Alan Moore were keen to take advantage. Moore, in particular, was lively. He orchestrated the visitors' more promising attacks. Those ahead of him, like Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne, were equally tuned in and had the home defence working overtime.
But despite their enterprising forward play, Shelbourne were occasionally at odds at the back and after 12 minutes Bray capitalised. Having cleared their own box after a spell of pressure, Stephen Fox raced through the Shelbourne cover and fed the overlapping Eamon Zayed. The striker, back in Ireland after his flirtation with the Norwegian league, collected neatly and steered a beautiful shot past Delaney from 20 yards.
Shelbourne remained a threat and goalkeeper Chris O'Connor had to react smartly to keep out Byrne's scissors kick from close range. But Shelbourne pulled level on 17 minutes. Moore again started the move by playing in Crowe inside the area. Wary of the closing defence, the striker flicked to the onrushing Byrne who poked past O'Connor from close range.
Indeed, Shelbourne could have added another two before half-time but Crowe, on both occasions, was unlucky to have his attempts smothered close in. Bray, though, were far from bystanders and regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Delaney unforgivably juggled Caffrey's corner over his line.
Shelbourne applied relentless pressure after the break. They probed repeatedly but, with Wesley Charles dropping back to provide extra cover, the visitors were left frustrated. Moore, struggling from a first-half knock, was then replaced by Joseph Ndo and the former Cameroon international lent his weight with an array of teasing crosses.
From one such play, after 74 minutes, Shelbourne won a penalty when Charles, already on a yellow, walked after handling at the far post. Byrne stepped up to slot home the penalty and, in the process, deny his former club a winning start to the season.
BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Gifford, McGovern, Roche, Keogh; Caffrey, Charles, Fox, Ryan; Doyle, Zayed. Subs: Tyrrell for Ryan (74), James for Fox (89). Booked: Keogh (32), Charles (64). Sent off: Charles (74).
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Cahill; Ryan, O'Halloran, Crawford, Moore; Byrne, Crowe. Subs: Ndo for Moore (66), Kearney for Crawford (83). Booked: Byrne (67).
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
