After a lively first half in which the sides swapped scoring chances, Bray Wanderers simply upped a gear to blow Galway United away with two goals early in the second period.

Bray were caught napping in first-half stoppage time as Bobby Ryan's quickly taken free-kick put Ger Crossley through only for the former youth international to shoot against the butt of a post.

But it was all Bray after the break. Barry O'Connor wasted a chance within two minutes before Phil Keogh crossed from the left for Jason Byrne to side-foot home the opening goal on 55 minutes.

The game was over seven minutes later. Matt Britton rampaged down the right to the end line to cross low to the far post where O'Connor slid in to tap home. Ryan tried to inspire Galway late on but in vain as he twice hit the woodwork.

Galway United: Hickey; S Byrne, Clery, Silke; Crossley, Sheridan, Fortune, Murphy, B Byrne; Carberry, Ryan. Subs: O'Brien for Fortune (75 mins), O'Connor for S Byrne (78 mins).

Bray Wanderers: Young; Doohan, Tresson, Charles; Britton, Fox, Morgan, Keogh, Ryan; O'Connor, Byrne. Subs: Long for Morgan (79 mins), Farrell and O'Brien for O'Connor and Ryan (both 90 mins.).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).