Bray W 0 Dundalk 1:A DRAMATIC last-minute goal from central defender Gary Breen gave Dundalk a winning start to the Premier Division with a narrowest of victories over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

Breen, who had followed manager Ian Foster to Dundalk from Galway United in the close season, was the hero when heading home just when it seemed the game would drift to an uninspiring scoreless draw on a dry and cold night in the north Wicklow town.

It was a smash and grab victory for the Louth team – Breen’s winner coming in those dying seconds after a corner on the left by former Wanderers player Alan Cawley.

The Seagulls missed a glorious chance of opening the scoring after just two minutes of play when their striker Shane O’Neill was taken down inside the penalty box by Dundalk defender Liam Burns.

O’Neill took the penalty himself only to see his effort brilliantly pushed away by goalkeeper Peter Cheerie, diving full length to his left.

Then a Jake Kelly corner on the right allowed central defender Shane O’Conner to get in a downward header which rebounded off the woodwork to be eventually scrambled clear by team captain Burns.

Dundalk did have chances when first Neale Fenn and then fellow striker Fahrudin Kudovovic fired narrowly wide.

Then came all that late drama with Breen’s header to see Dundalk off to a winning start to their season.

Bray will be disappointed with the result which didn’t go their way despite manager Eddie Gormley fielding new signings Richie Baker and Robbie Doyle in his side.

BRAY WANDERERS: Kane, D Boyle, Knight, (Byrne, 12), O’Connor, Maffey (Tyrrell, 91); Baker, Shields, Kavanagh, Kelly; R Doyle, Mulroy, (O’Neill 6), Subs Not Used: Donnolly and Zambra. Yellow Cards: Maffey 63, Kavanagh 83.

Dundalk: Cheerie, S Kelly, Breen, Burns, (McGuigan, 60) , Hatswell; Mahr, Melligan, Millar, (Cawley, 66), Gaynor; Fenn, Kudovovic. Subs Not Used: Sinnott, Murphy and Gregg. Goal: Breen 90,

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).