Galway produced a confident second half display to outplay a lacklustre Dundalk side who missed out on the opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the table. And but for some poor finishing the Tribesmen would have got the result to match their performance.

Ian Foster was able to call on injury doubts JJ Melligan, Tom Miller, Liam Burns and Garry Breen to start the game for the home side but Michael McGowan - given the green light that day to resume action with the club - had to settle for a place on the bench.

With second placed St Patrick's Athletics in Setanta Cup action, Dundalk knew that a win would move them clear at the top and they started brightly with Bosnian attacker Fahrudin Kuduzovic smashing over from the edge of the box after doing well to make the space for a shot.

Galway gradually established a foothold in the game with Rhys Mennell heading over from a Cian McBrien free-kick and Anto Flood went within inches of putting the Tribesmen in the lead after 24 minutes; the big striker seeing his close range effort deflected just over the crossbar.

Dundalk finished the half strongly with Ross Gaynor badly miscuing with a right footed volley. The winger fared much better minutes later, delivering a lovely cross on to the head of Melligan but the former Leyton Orient man saw his glancing header just clear the post.

Melligan had the best chance of the half just after the half hour. Neale Fenn showed great control and vision to tee him up from 18-yards but Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan stood tall to save brilliantly with his legs.

Flood tested Cherrie with a blistering drive five minutes into the second-half and it proved to be the launchpad for a very assured second-half display from Connor's side.

Gary Curran had Dundalk hearts fluttering with a crisp drive that beat Cherrie but not the post, the shot coming on the end of a well worked move started by the Airtricity League Player of the Month, Karl Sheppard. Cian McBrien then waltzed past Alan Cawley on the edge of the box but just couldn't put any venom into his attempt.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Kelly, Burns, Garry Breen, Hatswell; Miller, Cawley (McGowan, 68 mins); Kuduzovic, Melligan, Gaynor; Fenn (Mulvenna, 84 mins).

GALWAY UNITED: Barry Ryan; Connelly (Heary, 53 mins), Sinnott, McKenzie, Meynell; Bobby Ryan, Curran, Foley, McBrien (Creaney, 70 mins); Flood (King, 85 mins), Sheppard.

REFEREE: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)