Peter Cherrie and Garry Breen combined to shoot Dundalk to an opening-day victory in the Premier Division for the first time in almost 14 years as the Lilywhites snatched an injury-time winner against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night, ending an eight-year wait for a win at the seaside venue. Not since James Keddy’s last-gasp winner in March 2002 has the club recorded a victory at the ground, and this one ended in similar dramatic fashion.

Cherrie heroics
Goalkeeper Cherrie instantly carried on his form from last year as he produced wonders to keep his now 360-minute clean-sheet in 2010 intact. The Scottish netminder was faced with a penalty in the third minute after captain Liam Burns brought down Shane O’Neill, and he pulled off a magnificent one-handed stop to deny the youngster and keep Dundalk on level terms. It was, incidentally, the first spot-kick that Cherrie has saved for the club (outside penalty shootouts).

Breen winner
Bray then hit the post, before Cherrie spread himself again in the second half to make another fine save, while the hosts, through O’Neill, wasted a gilt-edged chance late on. By that stage, however, Dundalk were looking the more likely, Fahrudin Kudozovic going closest after nipping between two defenders following a clever cross from Neale Fenn, but his effort went the wrong side of the post. However, in the first minute of added-on time, Breen rose highest to head home a corner from former Bray midfielder Alan Cawley, who impressed hugely in his substitute appearance.

Ten debutants
Ian Foster started with a familiar formation of 3-5-2, with Kudozovic coming in to make his club debut, and Cawley, like in Monaghan seven days earlier, again having to settle for a place on the bench. In all, Dundalk had nine league debutants in their starting side (Ciarán McGuigan later entered to become No10), and they were on the back foot from the off, with referee Dave McKeon awarding an early penalty to the hosts after Burns clipped the heels of O’Neill, who had broken clear following a long throw-in. However, Cherrie dived to his left and showed a strong hand to push the ball away.

Bray threat
Dundalk survived another scare close to the quarter-hour when Bray this time cracked the crossbar, Jake Kelly’s corner from the right headed down by Shane O’Connor only for the ball to bounce back off the woodwork. Just before the midway point of the half, the visitors went close for the first time when JJ Melligan’s rasping effort just cleared the Bray bar, before Fenn’s curling 20-yard free-kick whistled just past the post. After the break, Eddie Gormley’s side continued to threaten and Cherrie stood up well to deny the lively O’Neill, who, incidentally, scored against Dundalk in the clubs’ pre-season friendly last month.

Late drama
The introduction of Cawley at the halfway point of the second half seemed to give Dundalk more composure in the middle of the park, and they began to take over and push Bray back. However, the home side still looked dangerous on the break and a neat reverse pass by John Mulroy set O’Neill free. But with just Cherrie to beat he dragged his effort wide from 12-yards. Kudozovic then went close at the other end following a fine Fenn cross from the left, and it looked like both sides would have to settle for a point apiece. However, Breen popped up seconds into injury-time to power a header past ‘keeper Brian Kane and hand Dundalk a priceless three points. Should they now go and win the Louth derby next week it will be the first time the club has won their opening two top-flight games since the double-winning season of 1987/88.

Man of the Match: PETER CHERRIE (DUNDALK) – Dundalk simply would not have picked up three points if it had not been for the heroics of Cherrie, who has still yet to concede in 2010.

BRAY WANDERERS AFC (4-4-2): Brian Kane; Daire Doyle, Shane O'Connor, Philip Knight (Nicky Byrne 13), Dane Massey; Richie Baker, James Kavanagh, Chris Shields, Jake Kelly (David Tyrrell 91); Robbie Doyle (John Mulroy 87), Shane 0'Neill.
Unused Subs: Carl Donnelly (GK), Dean Zambra.

DUNDALK FC (3-5-2): Peter Cherrie; Garry Breen, Liam Burns (Ciarán McGuigan 60), Wayne Hatswell; Shaun Kelly, Stephen Maher, Tom Miller (Alan Cawley 66), JJ Melligan, Ross Gaynor; Fahrudin Kudozovic, Neale Fenn.
Goal: G Breen (91)
Unused Subs: Matt Gregg (GK), Michael Synnott, Nathan Murphy.

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).