Galway United 2 St Patrick's Athletic 2: TERRYLAND PARK provided the ideal backdrop for an absorbing contest that was loaded with purposeful and passionate football.

With both teams vexed by the pressure of having to deliver a positive result, a keenly contested affair was expected on the banks of the Corrib and it didn't disappoint.

Having been nudged from the top of the table on Tuesday night, Johnny McDonnell's charges craved a victory against a Galway United outfit who are rooted to the bottom.

In a thrilling first half laced with neat football, Galway matched their illustrious opponents, but somehow managed to be a goal down when the half-time whistle blew as Mark Quigley's smooth opportunism had steered the Dublin side into a scarcely merited advantage.

Galway's start was full of enthusiasm and Derek O'Brien's crisp, 24th-minute strike gave the local side the lead.

It proved to be short-lived, however, as Quigley converted Ryan Guy's cross 90 seconds later with a delightful left-foot shot.

In the 33rd minute it was the other winger, Bobby Ryan, who carved the chance for Quigley to supply a clever glancing header that looped over United goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

The game continued at a frantic pace and Galway scored the equaliser in the 58th minute when Vinny Faherty poked home following a smashing move which featured Seamus Conneeley, Regillio Nootimer, John Russell and O'Brien.

GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Conneeley, Fitzgerald, Charles, Nootimer; O'Shea, Deegan, Russell, O'Brien; Leech, Faherty.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Barry Ryan; Brennan, Partridge, Harris, Byrne; Bobby Ryan, Dempsey, Ndo (Lynch, 65 mins), Guy; Quigley, O'Neill (Fitzpatrick, 73 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).