Galway U 0 Bray Wanderers 3:IT IS turning out to be a dismal campaign for Galway United, who lost for the 12th game in a row at Terryland Park last night.

Bray Wanderers were organised and efficient as Galway, burdened by severe off-field problems too, were punished for defending in a naive fashion when the issue was delicately poised.

Falling crowds, wages cuts and a club record for consecutive losses ensure Galway must battle to stay afloat. This was merely another hour-and-a-half of football which confirmed the team’s chronic defensive shortcomings.

The opening provided reasonable entertainment as both teams crafted chances during bursts of supremacy. Galway, eager and enthusiastic, were keen to pose questions as Mikey Gilmore buzzed about.

Alan Murphy was unable to direct a Karl Moore cross on target, while Gilmore flashed a dangerous ball across the area.

But the visitors threatened too. A Dane Massey shot trickled wide, and then John Mulroy extracted a reflex save from Greg Fleming in the 29th minute. Fleming did well to deny John Mulroy on 44 minutes, but from the resultant corner Conor Murphy took advantage of an error from the Galway custodian to bundle home a Gary Dempsey delivery.

Galway were rocked in the 48th minute as Chris Shields fed Mulroy to extended the advantage.

Galway have been woeful at set-pieces all year and Bray punished this in the 55th minute when centre back Stephen Last decorated his first start by converting a corner with a firm header.

GALWAY UNITED: Fleming; Preston-Kelly, Maher, Walsh, Sinnott (G Kelly, 59); Ryan (Keogh, 73), Keane, Curran, Moore; Murphy (Feeney, 59), Gilmore.

BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; S O’Connor, Last, Prendergast, Kendrick (Houston, 82); Mulroy, D O’Connor (McGuinness, 80), Dempsey, Shields, Massey; Murphy (Zambra, 85).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).