First Division wrap: Wexford win, Bray and Cork sharesplit six goals

Wexford FC will go into their FAI Cup semi-final meeting with Drogheda United with a pep in their step after goals in each half from Thomas Oluwa and Mikie Rowe saw them pick up a crucial three points in their quest to make the SSE Airtricity League First Division play-off places.

Oluwa tucked away a penalty in customary confident fashion in the 39th minute in Ferrycarrig Park to give them the advantage at the break and Rowe sealed the deal with their second goal with less than 20 minutes remaining.

UCD's cause wasn’t helped when Cathal McCarthy was given his marching orders not long before the break having been shown a second yellow card.

The Students began brightly enough and had the first sight of goal with just four minutes on the clock, but Donal Higgin’s effort was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Alex Moody.

Wexford threatened in the 14th minute when Darragh Levingston sent in a cross, but Aaron Dobbs failed to make a telling connection with his head.

The visitors had a gilt-edged opportunity to break the deadlock moments later when they broke quickly from a James Crawford free-kick. The Wexford defence was outnumbered as Adam Brennan hared forward and picked out Sam Norval to his right, but Moody got down well to make a good save.

James Keddy’s men were next to go close as Luka Lovic picked out Mikie Rowe with a slide-rule pass and he cut the ball back for Dobbs, who saw his effort cleared off the line by Luke O’Regan.

The hosts were soon ahead, however, when referee Declan Toland awarded a penalty after spotting an infringement as Crawford was whipping in a corner. Up stepped Oluwa and he never looked like missing, assuredly stroking the ball to the left-hand corner of the net.

Things went from bad to worse for UCD