Bray Wanderers 1; St Patrick's Athletic 0: Bray Wanderers veteran striker Kieran "Tarzan" O'Brien was the hero when his 85th-minute winner gave the Seagulls three vital points in last night's clash with St Patrick's Athletic at the Carlisle Grounds.

O'Brien was making his 339th appearance for the club when introduced as a 76th-minute substitute by stand-in boss Tony McGuirk. It proved a masterstroke, with O'Brien scoring his 86th goal for the club - and one that seems certain to keep Bray in the Premier Division.

St Patrick's should have taken the lead on seven minutes after a long ball upfield by central defender Barry Prenderville. A clever flick-on from former Queen of the South man Chris Armstrong put fellow striker Robbie Doyle in the clear.

But a weak finish by the former Bray man from eight yards was pushed round the post by Chris O'Connor.

St Patrick's goalkeeper Barry Ryan then did well to punch clear from Bray defender Brian McGovern after a dangerous free by David Tyrell from 30 yards. Fox then had a glancing header off target after a corner by Tyrell on the left.

It was the introduction of substitute striker O'Brien on 76 minutes that was to prove the turning point for Bray. First St Patrick's central defender Darragh Maguire was shown the red card for taking down O'Brien in full flight just outside the area.

From the resulting free, O'Brien's thunderous free rebounded off the crossbar. A minute later the visitors then failed to clear their lines and a cross from Colm James allowed O'Brien to shoot home from close range.

BRAY WANDERERS: C O'Connor; Gifford, Tresson, McGovern, Keogh; McGuinness (Murphy 65), Kevin O'Brien, James, Tyrell Ryan (87); Fox, Georgescu (Kieran O'Brien 76).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Quigley, Prenderville, Maguire, Frost; Dunne (S O'Connor 70), Donnelly, Reilly, Foley (Larsen 78); Armstrong, Doyle.

Referee: Paul McKeon (Dublin)