One goal was enough to give Dundalk maximum points against Galway United at Terryland Park last night. The vital win for Martin Murray's side will go a long way to lifting spirits at the club.

Galway United had the first real chance after 30 seconds when Ger Crossley unleashed a 25-yard drive which went over the top.

On six minutes Dundalk's David Ward let fly from 20 yards which tailed wide of the left hand post.

Dundalk's Jonathan Prizeman linked up with the in-rushing Ciaran Kavanagh who sent a dangerous ball across the Galway United goal. However, Ward failed to get the vital touch.

Galway United had another opportunity in the 36th minute when Dundalk's John Flanagan fouled Mark Herrick but his free kick was headed away by David Crawley for a corner.

The home support were acclaiming a goal in the 43rd minute when Bobby Ryan struck a vicious volley from the left hand edge of the Dundalk area. But goalkeeper John Connolly made a tremendous save to tip the ball over for a corner.

The vital goal came on 73 minutes when David Ward sent a cross towards the Galway United goal. It was blocked down into the path of James Keddy who shot home from 10 yards for his third league goal of the season.

GALWAY UNITED: C Coby, Keady, Silke, Sheridan, Carberry, Crossley Fortune, Herrick, O'Brien, O'Shaughnessy, Ryan. Subs: Quirke for Carberry (85 mins); Murphy for Crossley (85 mins); Keane for O'Shaughnessy (85 mins).

DUNDALK: J Connolly, Hoey, Melvin, McGuinness, Crawley, Prizeman, Flanagan, Kavanagh, Keddy, Ward, Robinson. Subs: Dunne for Flanagan (82 mins); Reilly for Robinson (84 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dundalk)