Bray Wanderers - 3 UCD - 2: Despite a brave attempt to shrug off Tuesday's League Cup final defeat, UCD ultimately fell short in their attempts to ignite further cup aspirations for the rest of the season. No team in the final four would have wanted to draw UCD as they have shown resolve in knockout competitions this season. Bray, though, had the key to unlock that steely determination.

After a scrappy opening spell in which neither side established a fluent rhythm, Bray broke the deadlock. David Tyrrell surged forward in the 12th minute and pulled the ball across goal for Paul Murphy. The striker scuffed his shot but when the defence failed to clear sufficiently Kevin O'Brien crossed from the right and Murphy made no mistake at the second time, steering a header past Darren Quigley.

UCD, despite spending lengthy periods camped in their own half, were not without chances of their own. Pat McWalter forced goalkeeper Chris O'Connor to make two smart saves.

Bray's fans, though, were celebrating a spectacular second goal two minutes before the break. Tyrrell intercepted a sloppy Gary Dicker pass and again ran at Alan Mahon before letting fly with a 22-yard shot from the left which caught Quigley off guard and dipped in under his crossbar. Bray's Kieran O'Brien was not to be denied when he blasted Tyrrell's low cross high into the net from 10 yards for the third.

Substitute Robbie Martin pulled one back in the 64th, tapping home McWalter's pass from close range and the provider then turned scorer seven minutes from time to ensure a tense finish.

BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Gifford, Tresson, McGovern, Keogh; Kevin O'Brien, Fox, James, Tyrrell; Kieran O'Brien, Murphy. Subs: Roche for McGovern (52), Georgescu for Murphy (87), Long for Kieran O'Brien (90)

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McDonnell, Shortall, O'Donnell; Gannon, Hurley, Dicker, McWalter; Murphy, Byrne. Subs: Martin for Murphy, Kenna for Gannon (both half-time), Dupuy for Byrne (77). Booked: Mahon (58).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin)