Harps will certainly feel, as they have in umpteen encounters to date this term, that they should have taken something from this game as they were the better team in spells although in the second half Galway were on top.

Galway number one Alan Gough was the busier of the two net-minders, but the veteran shot-stopper was equal to all that was thrown at him and added to this Harps' own lack of precision upfront and it made for disappointing viewing for the larger than usual Finn Park attendance.

Harps manager Anthony Gorman was again forced into altering his starting eleven, as Barry Curran had to sit the game out through suspension, but on the plus side he welcomed Shane Bradley back into his squad again.

Bradley was involved early on and had Harps' first notable effort on goal in the tenth minute, but Alan Gough denied the Harps captain with a fine stop after the Stranorlar man directed Anthony Gorman's free goal-ward.

A minute later Michael Funston burst free from midfield, but he fired agonisingly wide of the target with only Gough to beat.

O'Connor- Fine game in the middle

Just after the 20-minute mark, Galway had a major let off when Stephen O'Donnell's ball into the danger zone resulted in full-back Nigel Keady intervening only to strike the ball off his own post.

Galway were pressing hard too though as they sought a means of retaining their position as joint leaders and their best opportunity of part one saw Derek O'Brien denied by a good save from James Gallagher in the Harps goal.

It was the Tribesmen who opened the second half the brighter and James Gallagher had to be alert to early opportunities for O'Dowd and Foley, but four minutes after the hour mark the Falcarragh man was beaten.

Alan Murphy's cross was blocked down by Anthony Gorman, but the match referee adjudged that the Harps player-manager had done so with his hand and pointed to the spot.

Murphy confidently stepped up to send Gallagher the wrong way for his eighth goal of the season sending the vocal Galway crowd wild with delight.

The hosts battled hard for the remainder of the contest and had late chances which they will rue with David Bell having a shot deflected wide for a corner while Davitt Walsh connected with Stephen O'Donnell's cross but succeeded in somehow shooting over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

In between those chances, Shane Bradley latched onto a loose ball in the box but he was again denied by Gough who turned his drive over the crossbar.

It was one of those nights that the Ballybofey faithful have become accustomed to in recent times and unfortunately for them their side just could make a breakthrough to take a share of the spoils.

Harps now look forward to their final five games of what has been a disappointing season still harbouring hopes of claiming fourth spot.

Next up is a trip to Century Homes Park to take on Monaghan United on Friday night next.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean McGowan, Jonathan Minnock, Shane Bradley, Eloka Asokhu; Gary Crossan, Shane O'Connor, Michael Funston, Anthony Gorman; Stephen O'Donnell, Matthew Crossan. Subs: Davitt Walsh (for G.Crossan); David Bell (for M.Crossan); Darren Meenan (for O'Connor).

Galway United: Alan Gough; Nigel Keady, Philip Reilly, Wes Charles, Billy Cleary; Mick O'Donnell, Rafael Cretaro, Ciaran Foley, Derek O'Brien; David O'Dowd, Alan Murphy. Subs: Dave Cooke (for O'Brien); Michael Harty (for Foley); John Russell (for Charles).