United leave first win behind

GALWAY United’s defensive frailties came back to haunt them when twice they took the lead only to be pegged back by a stubborn Finn Harps in a lively bottom of the table clash at Terryland Park on Friday night.The visit of Finn Harps, who were in freefall having lost the previous six games on the trot, presented United with an ideal opportunity to register their first league win this season, but they were punished for lapses in concentration at the back and remain rooted to the foot of the table three points adrift of Cobh Ramblers and four behind Finn Harps.Both struggling sides would have earmarked this game as a must win in order to get their seasons back on track but, in the end, the visitors will be happier with a share of the spoils as they were second best for large spells of this fast paced encounter.Jeff Kenna kept faith with the side that earned a draw away to Derry City the previous week and the home side settled quickly with Jay O’Shea and Derek O’Brien, in particular, both looking dangerous, exposing Finn Harps out wide and they could have hit the front on four minutes when O’Shea found himself in space on the right-wing.His shot was blocked and the ball trickled out to O’Brien who, in turn, fired a shot across the goalmouth into the path of Stephen O’Flynn but he was deemed to be offside. United continued to push for an opener and it looked like they would get it on eight minutes when Vinny Flaherty released O’Shea on the wing again and his cross found an unmarked O’Flynn in the box, but his header didn’t have the power to trouble James Gallagher’s goal.United’s encouraging start put Finn Harps on the back foot, but.........................