The spoils were shared in the sunshine at the Carlisle Grounds, Galway's lead down to ten in the second tier.
An early David Hurley penalty was cancelled out by a Chris Lyons penalty, ten-man United happy enough with a point after Rob Slevin was dismissed. For Bray, this was at least much better after a 6-0 hammering when the sides last met.
A poor first half ended in the visitors a goal up and, once again, it was from the penalty spot eight minutes in, with David Hurley profiting to score his ninth goal of the season.
Stephen Walsh has eight and it was he who won the penalty, the veteran nipping in just before David Webster and being upended at the edge of the box.
The crowd included former League of Ireland great Colin Hawkins, a Galwegian who never played for United, and Republic of Ireland star Jason Knight, who did a stint checking tickets at the turnstiles – only in the League of Ireland.
Neither would have been impressed with the first-half fare on a stunning evening, with United sitting back and offering next to nothing in attack.
Bray created little but they did have some good moments. After a spell of possession not quite to rival that of the Roscommon Gaelic footballers but impressive in its patience nonetheless, Darren Craven was played into a nice position but he dragged wide.
Brendan Clarke's addition for Galway has been massive and he again showed why just before the break. Lyons, who has had a disappointing season by his standards, was bundled over by Rob Slevin; Craven's fine dead-ball strike was brilliantly denied by Clarke.
The first five minutes of the second half were more entertaining than the previous 45.
Francely Lomboto is lightning quick and he outpaced Max Murphy in a one-on-one at the start of the second half; his pull-back merited a lot more than Hurley's poor finish. United clearly had heard some critical words from John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan.
Bray were level four minutes into the second half. Slevin bundled over Lyons and, given a second yellow, walked; Lyons notched his second goal of the season from the spot.
Lomboto's speed again caused Murphy – who fouled him – problems on 58 minutes but Killian Brouder headed over from Conor McCormack's free. Murphy played a lovely ball to Craven with 16 minutes to go but again he was brilliantly denied by Clarke.
Craven was craving a goal and headed tamely wide into the setting sun with seven minutes left, ten-man United flagging.
United nearly nicked it at the end, Maurice Nugent heading over from a lovely Hurley cross.
Bray Wanderers: Moody; Murphy, Webster, Hudson, O'Sullivan (Donohue 90); Hudson, Lovic, Crowley, Feeney, Thompson (Power 72); Lyons (Davis 85).
Galway United: B Clarke; O'Keeffe, Slevin, Brouder, Donelon (O'Reilly 72); McCormack, Borden (Nugent 63), Hurley; McCarthy, Walsh, Lomboto (Manley 63).
Second-placed Waterford closed the gap to 10 points, one match off the midway point of the season, with a 7-0 stroll at home to Treaty United.
Keith Long's side were five up by half-time thanks to strikes from Christopher Conn-Clarke, Shane Griffin, Giles Phillips, Tummise Sobowale and Ronan Coughlan. Griffin added a second after the break and Thomas Oluwa added the finishing touch in injury time.
Ten-man Athlone Town got the better of nine-man Longford Town 1-0 in a feisty Midlands derby at Lissywollen.
Frantz Pierrot's 16th-minute finish put the hosts ahead and when Aodh Dervin received a second yellow in the 66th minute they were firmly in the driving seat.
The game ended in further drama as the hosts goalkeeper' Vladislav Velikin and Longford manager Stephen Henderson and midifleder Kyle O'Connor were all shown straight reds in injury-time.
There were also late reds for both teams as Wexford beat Cobh Ramblers 2-1 at Ferrycarrig Park.
Wexford led 1-0 at half-time through Danny Furlong but Jack Doherty equalised in the 76th minute. Ten minute later, Aaron Dobbs grabbed what proved to be the winner.
The hosts' Ethan Boyle and Cobh's Cian Browne (two yellows) were both dismissed in time added on.
Finn Harps hit the post twice but were unable to find a way past visitors Kerry as their clash ended scoreless.
