Lee Devitt on the double as Treaty United see off Bray Wanderers in First Division

TREATY United bolstered their play-off hopes in the SSE Airtricity League First Division thanks to an impressive 2-1 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Lee Devitt scored a goal in each half as Treaty United deservedly claimed three valuable points in front of 1,049 people.

Guillermo Almirall registered a late consolation goal for the visitors who were outplayed for most of the contest.

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The hosts broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion ten minutes in as Lee Devitt bagged his 11th goal of the season.

Treaty’s scorer-in-chief curled a delightful 20-yard shot to the bottom corner of the net following slick interplay between himself and Yoyo Mahdy.

Treaty survived a major scare on 27 minutes as Max Murphy missed a penalty.

The spot kick was awarded after Evan O’Connor was adjudged to have fouled Rhys Knight inside the box. Murphy’s subsequent effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Treaty carved two more opportunities in the next two minutes. Karl O’Sullivan and Lee Devitt were both denied by Corcoran.

Corcoran was called into action again on the half-hour mark. O’Sullivan connected with O’Connor’s cross but saw his first-time effort kept out by the Bray shot stopper.

Bray were finding it hard to break down the hosts in the opening half but could’ve scored on the stroke of half-time.

Rhys Knight evaded Ben Lynch’s challenge but saw his subsequent shot deflected out of play.

Treaty doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Devitt showcased impressive skill and balance in the box before firing low to the net.

Bray substitute Danu Kinsella Bishop could’ve pulled one back on 17 minutes later, however he couldn’t direct his low shot on target following some impressive footwork.

The hosts pulled one consolation goal back 60 seconds from time but still suffered defeat. Guillermo Almirall collected Danu Kinsella Bishop’s left-wing cross inside the box and finished first time to the net.

Treaty remain in fourth place in the First Division table, but have closed the gap on third-placed Bray to seven points. The hosts now have five wins from the last seven games in the First Division.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Eoin Martin, Ben Lynch; Steven Healy, Connor Wilson (Colin Conroy 79); Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Lee Lynch (Mark Walsh 90+2); Yoyo Mahdy (Trpimir Vrljičak 51).

BRAY WANDERERS: James Corcoran; Jamie Duggan (Paul Murphy 84), Killian Cantwell, Benjamin Fagbemi, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley; Billy O’Neill (Danu Kinsella Bishop 72), Rhys Knight (Guillermo Almirall 61), Conor Knight (Callum Costello 61); Cian Curtis (Richard Ferizaj 84)

REFEREE: Daniel Murphy