Galway United 1 Sligo Rovers 1

Sligo Rovers and Galway United couldn’t be separated in Saturday night’s entertaining Airtricity Premier Division encounter at the Showgrounds.

It has been an exacting campaign for Sligo, who were relieved to conclude a difficult week by earning a share of the spoils.

Since returning to the top flight Galway hadn’t drawn a match so that curious sequence was ended at the 18th attempt.

Chances were crafted by both teams throughout an opening first half as Galway took a 10th minute lead courtesy of a fine Ryan Connolly goal.

Jake Keegan’s cross was met by former Sligo player Connolly, who applied a sweet finish to edge the visitors ahead.

But Sligo were back trading on terms six minutes later when Dinny Corcoran levelled punishing poor Galway defending.

Before the break Enda Curran forced a save from Sligo custodian Richard Brush, while Stephen Walsh was thwarted by the woodwork.

After the restart Curran and substitute Padraic Cunningham went close for Galway, who continued to be prompted by the effective Connolly.

Five minutes from time Corcoran spurned a decent opening for the Bit O’Red as parity eventually prevailed following a lively encounter.

Sligo Rovers: Brush; Keane, Peers, Boylan, Ledwith; Nielsen (Armstrong, 67), Cawley, Wearen, Cretaro (Ward, 75); Puri, Corcoran.

Galway United: Winn; Horgan, Sinnott, Walsh, Ludden; Keegan, Byrne, O'Leary, Garcia (Shanahan, 67); Connolly; Curran (Cunningham, 67).

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).