Galway United 3-1 Bray Wanderers

Teenager Aaron Greene struck a brace as Galway United grabbed a crucial win at Terryland Park.

Greene scored after 15 and 30 minutes to give Galway a two goal lead, but Dane Massey halved the deficit on 39.

Galway, though, survived a few tricky moments after the restart, before adding an insurance goal in the 83rd minute.

Derek O'Brien and man of the match Vinny Faherty were involved in the build up with skipper John Russell providing the headed finish.

Bray were unable to test Galway's new look defence in the early stages to see how Ian Foster's side would cope without the suspended duo Shane Guthrie and Garry Breen.

Galway, eager to pass the ball on the deck, made a bright start as John Russell's right footed drive struck the post in the second minute.

Showing a real willingness to attack Galway were on the front foot and Derek O'Brien dragged a shot wide moments later.

Then Vinny Faherty forced Chris O'Connor to make a smart save before Galway eventually netted a 15th minute goal.

Faherty was a key figure crossing for fellow attacker Aaron Greene, who supplied the glancing header which guided Galway ahead.

Bray were ailing, but the visitors did go close in the 22nd minute when Chris Shields headed Dane Massey's free kick over.

Galway extended their advantage on the half hour mark when Faherty again created a goal for Greene, who thumped a delightful left footed shot beyond O'Connor.

But Bray ended the first half impressively as Dane Massey's 39th minute goal give them a dash of hope before the interval.

Gary McCabe and substitute Jake Kelly tested Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan on Bray trips into enemy territory, but Galway were never too bothered.

In the 83rd minute the insurance goal was notched when Russell finished a delightful move that featured O'Brien and Faherty.

Galway United: 1 Barry Ryan; 15 Paul Synott, 2 Seamus Conneely,16 Sean Kelly, 3 Mark O'Toole; 10 Alan Murphy, 17 Cian McBrien (56 Dave Cooke, 57), 8 John Russell, 11 Derek O'Brien; 9 Vinny Faherty, 19 Aaron Greene.

Substitutes: 20 Jason Molloy, 14 Shane Fitzgerald, 18 John Sangi, 22 Ger Hanley.

Bray Wanderers: 1 Chris O'Connor; 2 Derek Pender, 5 Chris Deans, 4 Davy Mulcahy, 7 Dane Massey; 11 Gary McCabe, 6 Stephen Brennan, 8 Daire Doyle, 9 Chris Shields, 3 Gareth Coughlan (15 Jake Kelly, 67); 10 John Flood (16 John Mulroy, 36, 12 Paul Byrne, 51).

Substitutes: 14 David Webster, 25 Brian Kane.

Yellow Cards: Pender (55 mins)

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).