Two goals courtesy of living legend Paul Osam and legend in the making Mbabazi Charles Livingstone gave the Saints a well deserved win against a battling Bray side at Richmond Park.
Bray Wanderers held the unique distinction of being the only team the Saints failed to beat in the Premier Division last season and with a backlash expected following their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Shels no-one was underestimating the size of the task against Devlin's classy side.
Unfortunately for Bray Aertel's ray of hope turned out to be an illusion. The teletext service had listed Paul Osam on the Saints injury list, but to everyones' surprise the big man lined out and once again made the telling difference.
Osam capped another masterful display in midfield with a goal just before half-time. With Martin Russell delivering the perfect free, Oso rose highest in the packed Bray box to smash a trademark header past John Walsh.
The real story of the night was that of Mbabazi. Having received the tragic news earlier in the week of the death of his brother and father in Uganda he was left with the decision of whether to play on Friday. Mbabazi decided to play and turned in one of his best performances in a Pat's shirt since joining the club last season.
He had numerous shots on goal as he seemed determined to run the game all on his own. He had to wait til 2 minutes from time however before he could set his seal on this emotional night.
Picking up a lazy pass 50 yards out from the Bray goal 'Babaz' left marker Maurice Farrell for dead and charged down on the Bray goal at the shed end before steadying himself and unleashing an exocet missile of a shot from just inside the area. John Walsh got a finger to it but was happy to remain in full possession of his hand as the the ball smashed off the crossbar and into the Bray net. A stunning goal.
The celebrations were an amazing sight as Babaz fell to his knees and gestured to his heart as if in silent tribute to his lost family back in Uganda. The stand went wild and order was eventually restored as the ref restarted the game, but it was too late for Bray the night belonged to Pat's and to Charles Livingstone Mbabazi and to the memory of his brother and father.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly; Croly, C Foley, Maguire, Burke; Livingstone, Griffin, Marney, Russell; L Kelly, Osam. Subs: O'Keeffe for Marney (77 mins)Harris for Kelly (86 mins).
BRAY: Walsh; Britton, Tresson, Farrell, O'Connor; Morgan, Gormley, Campbell, Charles, Byrne; Doohan. Subs: Williamson for Campbell, Ryan for Gormley (71 mins) Parsons for Morgan (82 mins)
Referee: Dick O' Hanlon (Note:P McKeown was listed as the Ref for the game as scheduled on Friday but he was on UEFA duty. The game was switched to Saturday night due to a National Day of Mourning, 24 Hour notice was given to Pat's that the ref was to be changed to O'Hanlon).
