The Saints finally got that winning feeling back as they ended their three game losing slump in fine style at the Carlisle Grounds. In a great team performance the lads responded well to their mini-crisis of three straight defeats as Colm Foley and Charlie got the all important goals to see off the challenge of Bray Wanderers in an entertaining contest.
The little Ugandan international whipped in a brilliant corner on 62 minutes which was duely dispatched to the back of the Wanderers net by towering central defender Colm Foley. It was a welcome return to set piece excellence by the Saints, following some poor missed chances from similar positions on Sunday in Turner's Cross.
Mbabazi then added the second when he cleverly stubbed a ball past on rushing Bray 'keeper Matt Gregg as the Bray defence was unable to deal with a simple punt up field by Shay Kelly.
Pats will hopefully be in second place when the FAI arbitration case corrects the 9 points fiasco which has brought nothing but bad publicity to Irish football. The mood in the camp was upbeat as Dolan told reporters that we should be in second place and Paul Marney Snr. also told IS online that the Saints were reasonably confident that justice would be done in the arbitration process. Hopefully the points won fairly on the football field will be restored and the Saints can get their title challenge back on the rails.
BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; Tresson, Doohan, Charles, Keogh; Morgan, Gormley, Fox, Forsyth; O'Connor, Byrne. Subs: Britton for Byrne (half-time), Doyle for Forsyth (78 mins.), O'Brien for O'Connor (83 mins.).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S. Kelly; Croly, Maguire, Foley, Donnelly; Marney, Osam, Russell, Griffin; Mbabazi, L. Kelly. Subs: McGuinness for Donnelly (70 mins.), McCarthy for Russell (80 mins), Harris for L. Kelly (86 mins.)
Referee: P. Whelan (Dublin).
