Dreams of a League and Cup double remain alive for St Patricks Athletic after they booked their passage to the FAI Ford Cup quarter-finals at the Carlisle Grounds with a 3-0 victory over Bray Wanderers.

In a game that took a little time to ignite, the first attack of any substance came from the hosts just inside the quarter hour.

The Saints had the woodwork, a deflection and a line clearance to thank that they were not behind after a triple push, with Jason Byrne's effort deflected onto the crossbar and John Mulroy's header cleared off the line.

Mulroy went close for Bray minutes later after a good cross by Kieran “Marty” Waters, his effort deflected out for the Seagulls' fourth corner of the match.

But a neat move involving Killian Brennan, Anto Flood and Stephen Maher then won the visitors a flag-kick from which Greg Bolger slipped the loose ball past Darren Quigley into the Bray net.

In what became a lively and vigorously contested match, both sides had chances between then and the break, Stephen Maher and Chris Forrester both having late chances, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Bray went close to equalising in the opening minutes of the second period - Brendan Clarke having to parry a curling shot from Waters and finding himself stretched to claim Gary Dempsey's shot moments later.

But once again it was the visitors who struck, just after the hour, Conan Byrne weaving his way through the defence to fire home.

And Killian Brennan put the outcome beyond doubt six minutes later - converting from the spot when Bray skipper Danny O'Connor was adjudged to have brought Saints substitute Christy Fagam down in the area.

Despite the arrears, Bray continued to battle, Dave Webster bringing a fine flying save from Clarke and Seagulls substitute Ismahil Akinade squandering an open goal following what appeared to be an ill-judged back pass by Brennan.

Ian Bermingham's late effort from a free was blocked away by a stubborn Bray defence, but there was to be no miracle comeback for the Seagulls, whose season continues to deteriorate.

© rte.ie