Galway United 2 Sligo Rovers 0:All sporting sequences are eventually ended and last night's frenetic Connacht derby culminated in a comprehensive Galway United success. It was Galway's first win at Terryland Park since November.

Having endured a gruelling FAI Cup defeat to Waterford United on Tuesday, Sligo Rovers supporters wondered how their side would cope with their Connacht foes.

Galway, whose previous two matches, against UCD and Drogheda United, yielded dramatic last-gasp equalisers, began this contest with commendable purpose as midfielder Daryl Robson delivered with energy and enthusiasm.

John Fitzgerald and Alan Murphy went close for the home side, but Sligo fashioned opportunities too. Raf Cretaro was prominent on the right flank and ghosted into a menacing position before testing Gary Rogers's reflexes in the 27th minute.

Galway's patience was nearly rewarded when Robson's venomous shot from distance forced a fingertip save from the Sligo goalkeeper Richard Brush a minute short of the interval.

Galway edged ahead within four minutes of the restart when Robson's free-kick was headed home by Wes Charles in a densely populated area.

Galway made the Sligo net ripple again in the 70th minute when substitute Dave Cooke steered a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Keane, Fitzgerald, Lester, Charles; Russell (Cooke, 64 mins), O'Halloran, Robson (Foley, 83 mins), O'Brien; Murphy, Glynn (Faherty, 73 mins).

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush; Coleman, Peers, McKenzie, Meredith (Foy, 73 mins); Cretaro (Cash, 52 mins) Boyd, O'Grady, Hughes; Kudozovic, Judge (Gordon, 52 mins).

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).