Horgan the hero as Dundalk knock Bray out

Daryl Horgan's first goal of his second spell with Dundalk proved the difference as the Lilywhites crept past Bray Wanderers in torrential conditions at the Carlisle Grounds to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.

Stephen O’Donnell began his journey to Cup glory with St Pat’s with a 6-0 win over the Seagulls two years ago but there was never likely to be a repeat of that result given the strong wind and rain that threw up the potential for an upset.

The 12-time winners struggled to break down Ian Ryan’s side for long periods of the game despite missing a first-half penalty when Connor Malley struck the crossbar.

That was until the 86th minute when former Republic of Ireland international Horgan rifled to the net for what was his 31st goal for the Lilywhites.

While the Louth men were rarely threatened by Bray, they were left breathing a sigh of relief at the full-time whistle as the dogged First Division side made them work for their place in the last eight.

The home side were first to threaten on nine minutes with Darren Craven’s free in from the right just missed by Ben Feeney as the ball flashed across the six yard box.

Having fired high and wide four minutes earlier, former Seagull Daniel Kelly was then played in by Malley on 18 minutes but despite knocking the ball past Matthew Connor, the danger was easily cleared by Sean Quinn.

Quinn was then at fault for needlessly giving a penalty away on 25 minutes as he tripped John Martin as he was going away from goal into the corner but Bray were let off the hook when Malley smacked his effort off the crossbar.

Archie Davies then flashed an effort to the wide and right after bursting past Len O’Sullivan before Dane Massey registered the game’s first attempt on