Clarke heroics deny Bray

CHIEDOZIE OGBENE scored a goal of the month contender and Brendan Clarke saved a penalty at the other end of the Carlisle Grounds as Limerick eased their relegation worries and deprived controversy-ravaged Bray of a moraleboosting victory.

Despite a dominant firsthalf display, Limerick found themselves a goal down at the interval, though it might have been different but for a terrific save just 28 seconds in from Bray’s Peter Cherrie.

Bray left-back Karl Moore’s attempted throw to Tim Clancy was intercepted by Rodrigo Tosi, the Brazilian turning to race in on goal only to be thwarted when Cherrie batted away his shot.

Cherrie came to Bray’s rescue again on 35 minutes. Shane Duggan’s tenacity won the ball to set up Tosi, who brought a fine save at full stretch from the ’keeper.

Limerick’s dominance mattered not, as two minutes later Bray’s best move of the half brought them the lead.

Gary McCabe swept a ball right to Keith Buckley whose arced delivery was met by Darragh Noone who headed it powerfully into the far corner.

Clarke made a big stop from Jason Marks shortly after the restart following a mistake by Barry Cotter before Limerick levelled on 49 minutes.

Nigerian Ogbene powered past Moore down the right, cleverly cut inside past two more defenders before drilling a low shot beyond Cherrie.

But Bray had been better since the restart with Aaron Greene firing into the side netting before volleying straight at Clarke. The Limerick ’keeper was there on 71 minutes to thwart Marks once more after Greene’s superb ball put him in on the left.

And Clarke wasn’t going to be beaten again as he made his most telling save of the game on 73 minutes. McCabe was fouled by Cotter inside there area, but Clarke dived to his left to save McCabe’s spot-kick.