Cork City kept up the pressure on the top two in the Eircom Premier Division tonight with victory over Galway United - but they had to do it the hard way against the bottom-of-the-table team.

Galway took the lead in the 35th minute with a delightful chip from a difficult angle from by Derek Glynn.

Worry for the Turners Cross faithful at half-time must have turned into alarm in the first minute of the second half when Glynn finished in similar fashion after latching onto a John Lester ball.

However, the league's leading scorer Dave Mooney provided the inspiration for a spirited comeback 10 minutes later as he cut inside from the right to score Cork's opener.

A dominant Cork equalised in the 62nd minute when substitute Denis Behan fired home inside the box.

The Leesiders' constant pressure told again in the 81st minute when John O'Flynn was taken down in the box by Galway goalkeeper Alvin Rouse who was sent off for the challenge.

Dave Mooney did the honours scoring his fourth consecutive brace in the league and his eleventh goal in six games - he now has thirteen for the season.

The 3-2 win gave Alan Matthews' team their eighth consecutive victory and leaves Jeff Kenna's Galway rooted to the bottom with just one win in 17.

The disappointment of defeat must have been added to when news filtered though that the team above them, Cobh Ramblers picked up a point after a scoreless draw against Shamrock Rovers putting them three points clear.

However third-from-bottom UCD failed to capitalise, losing 2-1 to third place Drogheda United at United Park.

The Drogs also came from behind thanks to Richie Baker's return from injury. The form Shels hero scored one and was involved in the other after coming on with half an hour to go. Ronan Finn scored for the Students.