Galway Utd 0 Bray Wanderers 1: Any outfit possessing a player with a wicked set-piece threat always has a fighting chance of garnering a result. Evidence was provided at a damp Terryland Park last night as Alan Cawley rifled in the only goal of an interesting encounter.
Having failed to deliver a home success since returning to the top flight of the domestic game, Galway were under pressure to find a win on the Dyke Road. This was a regal opportunity as Bray have pocketed only four points on the road.
The visitors shaded a first half that was high on perspiration.
Goalkeeper Gary Rogers was forced to make reflex saves from Patrick Kavanagh, Alan Cawley and Mark Duggan as Bray's neat approach troubled the home side.
Galway fashioned one chance midway through the period, but their promising youngster Vinny Faherty was unable to connect with Wes Charles's clever header.
Then 14 minutes after the interval Cawley whipped in a free-kick past Rogers.
Galway manager Tony Cousins made changes, but Bray defended with resolution.
GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Nootimer, Charles, Lester, Reilly; Moran, Fagan (Robson, 76), Murphy, O'Brien (Tracey, 53); Faherty (Fahy, 76), Glynn.
BRAY WANDERERS: Williams; Tresson, Deans, Kenny, Cronin; Kavanagh, Cawley (Gough, 90), Duggan, O'Shea; Georgescu (Dunphy, 11, Hurley, 65) Fox.
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).