Quarter-final second replay

Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers (Carlisle Grounds, 7.45)

It seems safe to assume that everybody at Sligo and Bray has enough on their plates without this quarter-final FAI Cup tie coming back to haunt them for a third time, but to the relief of both camps the tie will have to be resolved this evening, even if that means a penalty shoot-out.

Given the way his lads have been performing in front of goal lately, Pat Devlin may not, however, be looking forward to seeing them line up for a series of spot kicks. In previous rounds the cup may have been something of a happy hunting ground for Bray with eight goals in two games, but coming up against Premier Division opposition has changed that and the situation doesn't look especially promising for tonight's game given that John Ryan is out with a groin strain and Mick Doohan (hamstring), Alan Smith (shin), as well as Colm Tresson (groin) are all doubtful.

Sligo, though, have problems of their own with Steve Birks (ankle), Ian Lynch (groin) and Jim Sheridan (back) along with player manager Nicky Reid (heel) all missing from the visitors' panel.

Reid says he is happy to have the cup match pencilled in at the expense of the visit to Harps, which his side were meant to make this evening, but Devlin disagrees, making it clear that he feels that things should have been scheduled differently so that his players could have concentrated on their league predicament.

There was some good news for Devlin yesterday, however, when officials at Bohemians agreed to postpone their game with Wanderers from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Bray had originally been down to play Bohemians on Thursday and Waterford on Sunday, but the latter game will now be re-fixed for some time in the weeks ahead.

League and cup form: Bray: LDDDL, Sligo: LWDDW.

Leading league and cup scorers: Bray: Byrne and O'Connor 5 each; Sligo: Hallows 8, Shannon 7.

Betting: Home: 10/11, draw: 9/4, away: 5/2.

Next round: Shelbourne (away).

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).