Bray deny Derry at the Brandywell

Derry City's failure to overcome relegation-threatened Bray Wanderers in a scoreless draw at the Brandywell could prove costly, as the eircom League season draws to a close.

In what was a particularly disappointing first half, the Candystripes clearly struggled to come to terms with Bray's defensive tactics, Eddie Gormley opting to stretch five players across the back. With Ciaran Martyn shadowed throughout the game by Paul O'Reilly, the home side failed to breach a flooded and overworked visiting defence.

As expected, the only scoring chances of note fell to a home side who had totally dominated possession.

In the tenth minute centre-half Ken Oman's downward header failed to hit the target following a Paddy McCourt corner but the best chance of the opening period arrived in the 34th minute.

Eddie McCallion worked his way in behind the Bray defence and his cross found Mark Farren, but the striker's goal-bound shot was charged down by Bray midfielder Colm James.

Clearly content to hit on the break, the Seagulls never threatened the home goal during the first half with lone striker Andrei Georgescue isolated.

After the interval it was very much a case of more of the same, with Bray packing their defence and Derry failing to extend keeper Chris O'Connor.

Farren shot wide of the target in the 50th minute when well placed before the visitors landed their first effort on target three minutes later, Derry's David Forde easily gathering an Georgescu shot from 25 yards.

Derry made a loud appeal for a penalty in the 64th minute after a Bray defender appeared to handle McCourt's cross into the area, but referee Dave McKeon refused to be moved and immediately waved play on as City continued to surge forward.

The home side really should have broken the deadlock in the 76th minute when Farren missed the proverbial sitter.

McGlynn crossed the ball to the back post but despite a free header from close range, Farren failed to hit the target and a glorious opportunity had been lost.

It was not to be Derry's night an in stoppage-time O'Flynn diverted a Sean Hargan punt onto the Bray crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Derry City - Forde; McCallion, Oman (O'Flynn, 77 mins.), Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn, Molloy (Higgins, 70 mins.), McCourt; McHugh (Beckett, 58 mins.), Farren.

Bray Wanderers - O'Connor; Ivory, Fox, Tresson, Deans, Tyrell; James, O'Reilly, Caffrey, Broderick (O'Shea, 13 mins.); Georgescue (Lacey, 86 mins.).