Sligo Rovers 3 Galway United 0:GALWAY UNITED supporters came under fire at the Showground on Saturday night for allegedly hurtling abuse at one of their team's players.

Mark Leech was allegedly targeted by some of the travelling fans who were said to have made unsavoury remarks about the player late in the game.

Galway caretaker boss Billy Cleary was incensed and surprised by the incident. "Galway United need players from outside to do a job for us and this was made fully clear to our supporters," he said.

It was also believed that Leech made some sort of gesture towards the supporters.

"I can understand why the player lost the plot but this kind of thing is not acceptable from the fans or the player, who is a professional footballer," said Cleary.

All round it was a night of frustration at the north west venue, with Sligo boss Paul Cooke sent to the stands in the first half by Dublin referee Dave McKeon.

"The referee told me it was because of an aggressive manner," said Cooke, who went on to plot Galway's downfall with a couple of inspired second-half substitutions.

Fahrudin Kudozovic was sprung from the bench in the 50th minute and scored a dazzling goal on the hour to break the deadlock.

Raphael Cretaro was sent into action after 58 minutes and he headed the home side further in front on 73 minutes.

Kudozovic made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 80th minute after former Sligo player Wesley Charles upended another Sligo substitute, Anto Murphy.

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Coleman, Peers, Almeida, Butler, O'Grady, Ventre, Feeney, Boco, Cash, Moore. Subs: Kudozovic for Feeney (50 mins); Cretaro for Moore (58 mins); Murphy for Cash (68 mins).

GALWAY UNITED: Rodgers, Nootiemeer, McCullogh, Charles, Fitzgerald, Lester, O'Brien, Deegan, O'Flynn, Leech, Fenn. Subs: Molloy for Lester (76 mins); Glynn for O'Flynn (76 mins); McBrien for Deegan (85 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).