Andy Myler bagged a second half equaliser as Bray Wanderers forced a deserved FAI Cup quarter-final draw at Terryland Park.
Galway had taken the lead in first half stoppage time courtesy of Marc McCulloch’s deflected shot, but Bray recovered after the break.
There was an admirable cut and thrust to the opening period as the teams attempted to move the ball around, and chances were fashioned at either end as both Galway and Bray came close to scoring.
The deadlock was eventually broken in stoppage time courtesy of a freakish goal as Marc McCulloch’s shot took a nasty deflection off Gavin Whelan to hand Galway the lead.
With a pristine Terryland Park surface providing an ideal backdrop there were some moments of smashing football played.
Galway announced their ambition as John Russell clattered a close range shot off the woodwork following a Jonathan Keane assist.
But as the half evolved Bray went close themselves with Daryl Robson and Ger Rowe squandering reasonable chances inside the Galway area.
And Bray were left to reflect on those misses in stoppage time at the end of the half as Galway bagged a fortuitous goal.
Gormley altered his side at the break with Kevin Doherty being introduced at centre half as Whelan switched to more familiar territory on the right flank.
And Whelan’s superb quick cross field free kick found an advancing Kavanagh on 49 minutes, but the flying winger headed wide.
Despite that miss Bray were back trading on terms in the 64th minute as Andy Myler slipped an opportunistic equaliser home in a packed area.
Cawley’s corner unnerved the Galway defence and Myler squeezed an ice cool finish through all the traffic to equalise.
Galway United: Rogers; Conneely, A Keane, Fitzgerald, McCulloch; Lester; J Keane (Tierney, 85), Foley; Russell (Faherty, 75); Molloy, Jorgensen (Fenn, 84).
Bray Wanderers: Gough; Pender, Kenny, Whelan, Cronin; O’Keefe (Doherty, 46), Robson (Tresson, 70), Cawley, Kavanagh; Myler (Kelly, 85), Rowe.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
