For all their enterprise and spirit, relegation remains on the cards for Finn Harps as Galway United, relatively safe in mid-table, left Terryland Park the happier after this uninspiring draw.

Galway were on the defensive early on as the visitors forced two corners, but they took the lead with a bolt from the blue in the 11th minute.

Darragh Sheridan's cross from the left was killed by Ollie Keogh and 19-year-old Alan Murphy drove a stunning right-foot shot from 25 yards beyond Gareth Downey and into the top corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

However, Harps continued to force the play and got their reward from their seventh corner of the game on 29 minutes.

That came about after Galway goalkeeper David Forde had to stretch to tip over a shot from Dom Tierney. But, having led something of a charmed life, there was to be no reprieve for the Galway goal as central defender Shane Bradley arrived in the area to force home with his chest Fergal Harkin's corner.

GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Crossley, Clery, Silke, Sheridan; Ryan, Murphy, O'Connor, O'Brien; Keogh, Lavine. Subs: Morgan for O'Connor (65 mins), B Moran for O'Brien (74 mins).

FINN HARPS: Downey; R Kenny, Fitzhenry, S Bradley, Minnock; Mohan, Tierney, Harkin, McGrenaghan; J Kenny, McHugh. Subs: Speak for McHugh (77 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).