Bray Wanderers remain optimistic of making the promotion play-off places as second half goals from Yoyo Mahdy and Darren Craven saw them edge past ten man Kerry in Tralee.

The Seagulls leading after a potential record opening goal in the league coming 12 seconds into play, Kerry soon equalised but the extra man advantage saw Bray wear down their opponents and see put proceedings and take the points.

Craven with a stunning free kick put the icing on the cake, Cian Barett’s sending off for two yellows caused Kerry a mortal blow at the back, despite some solid defending they failed to contain with a strong pressing Wanderers attack.

Bray had a whirlwind start to proceedings, Max Murphy fired a long ball aimed for Yoyo Mahdy, the forward getting a slight flick with his head to diver the ball past the onrushing Arthur Nganou, the keeper stranded as he raced after the ball tricking into the net.

A lead after 12 seconds, Kerry pressed for the leveller, Leo Gaxha had a shot deflected from the corner, the resulting set piece saw Gaxha unable to control the effort as Bray managed to clear.

Kerry drew level in the ninth minute, Sean McGrath looking to play a long ball over the top for Gaxha to chase, the ball over hit as Matthew Connor raced out to head away the danger, the clearance landing at the feet of McGrath, producing a lob over the stranded keeper and into the net, despite the best intervention of Cole Omorehiomwan.

Soon after the goal a terrific block from Ethan Kos prevented Bray from regaining the lead immediately. Kerry however had large spells of possession and when creating chances looked dangerous, Gaxha headed a corner into the hands of Connor.

Lovely link up down the left wing by Sean O’Connell and Daniel Okwute saw McGrath almost have another chance on goal, unable to stretch McGrath failed to get optimum contact on the strike as it flashed across the box.

Callum Thompson felt he had given Bray the lead again after 25 minutes, getting onto the end of a botched clearance he was offside in the build up, the linesman's flag lofted before Thompson rolled the shot past Nganou.

Intensity certainly remained but after such an energetic start, Bray came close as Guillermo Almirall had a free kick cannon off the post, the ball cleared only to the dangerous Max Murphy, fancying his chances he launched a shot from range that dropped into the hands of Nganou.

At the death drama occurred at both ends in the opening half, Okwute made a terrific burst down the left wing, possession was lost but as Sean Quinn tried to clear the danger, the ball rebounded of Sean O’Connell, the deflection enough to allow the defender a chance at goal, his effort saved with an acrobatic save.

Into stoppage time Cian Barrett was shown his marching orders as he hacked down a Bray player racing down the right wing, Kerry having to play the rest of the tie with ten men, as at the break they remained in the contest.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, once again the final half hour proved a struggle for Kerry to hold out especially with ten men, Murphy played a ball down the wing for Jake Walker, he crossed to the back post where Mahdy nodded home his second to make it 2-1 in the 64th minute.

Bray kept the pressure up following their regaining of the lead and after Sean Kennedy up ended Mahdy on the left wing, Darren Craven stepped up and curled a beautiful free kick into the far top corner past Nganou. The writing very much on the wall for the hosts as the result looked assured for the visitors.

Chris Lyons almost netted a fourth with twenty left on the clock, Nganou down sharply to his near post to produce the save. Kerry looked leggy as Bray were wave after wave pressing the Kingdom rearguard.

Mahdy marking his first and second goals for his side, a massive contribution from the league veteran, Kerry now have Barrett on the suspension list and Ryan Kelliher was named to start but picked up a knock in the warmup, seven games left, Bray are four adrift of the play-offs and for Kerry the wait continues for a home win.