GALWAY UNITED - 3

FINN HARPS - 0

FINN Harps' hopes of Premier Division survival dwindled into the Galway air on Friday night last as Paul Hegarty's team were comprehensively beaten by a hungrier, slicker and sharper Galway United in the big relegation 'six pointer' at Terryland Park.

Second half goals by Mark McCullogh, Alan Murphy and John Lester crushed Harps and ensured that it's very much advantage Galway going into the final series of matches on Friday night - the westerners now have a crucial one-point lead over Harps following the weekend's win.

Harps can have no qualms about the end result.

Disappointingly, they once again failed to perform in front of the television cameras and left the big away support departing a frustrated, angry and dejected bunch as their team relinquished control of the drop-zone.

Coming into the game on the back of an impressive 2-1 win at Drogheda seven days earlier, hopes were high that Harps could get something out of Friday's game and recent history (that showed seven draws in the last nine meetings of the teams) said that maybe the Donegal side could be content with a point.

But, 90 minutes later, it was the Tribesmen who were toasting a deserved win having dictated the play for the most part against a Harps team that looked very much a side that is resigned to losing the battle for safety. Second best for most of the evening, Harps can have no complaints about the result that leaves them hoping and praying for favours as they host Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.

Both teams made one change to their respective line-ups for a game that took on huge significance following Harps' win in Drogheda. Shaun McGowan came in at right-back to replace the suspended Marc Mukendi while Galway's alteration saw ex Derry City man Alan Murphy take the place of injury victim John Russell.

Just four minutes in, Stephen Parkhouse could have put the visitors in front. Goalkeeper Gary Rodgers got down well to his left to hold the striker's shot after he connected with Michael Funston's cross.

Jay O'Shea was rumoured to have attracted the interest of English Championship side Birmingham City recently and the winger was a constant thorn for Harps on Friday night, playing at the fulcrum of every attack made by Jeff Kenna's team.

O'Shea shot over the bar with Galway's first meaningful foray into the final third, while soon after goalkeeper James Gallagher had to be out bravely to save at the legs of Vinny Faherty, who broke through into a one-on-one situation.

On 26 minutes, Faherty headed inches over from the edge of the six-yard box after Jonathan Keane directed a Murphy free back across goal. For the remainder of the half, Galway had the bulk of the possession, but Harps were keeping a good guard at the back and they would have been happy to head for the dressing rooms on a level footing.

However, the second half was just a minute old when the home side struck a hammer blow through the visiting hearts.

Left back Mark McCullagh ghosted in from the back to beat Shaun McGowan in an aerial challenge when Seamus Conneely's cross came off the head of Minnock. McCullagh kept his cool to finish low past Gallagher, sending Terryland Park into raptures in the process.

Just seven minutes later, Harps were left with the proverbial mountain facing them as Galway suddenly were two to the good. Jonathan Minnock lost possession coming out of defence, Faherty slipped O'Shea in and he rolled into the path of Murphy, who delivered a brilliant left-footed strike into the far corner, past Gallagher's despairing dive.

Harps threw on Marc Brolly and Chris Breen in an attempt to launch some life into a by-now stale attack.

Skipper Shaun Holmes caused Rodgers some difficulty with a long-range shot while Gethins forced Alan Keane into an acrobatic clearance off the goal-line when the striker shot from 20 yards after Rodgers could only punch a cross out into his path.

Harps just didn't have the necessary cutting edge to their game and in the final minute Lester's deflected free-kick made it three nil, capping off a memorable evening at the office for them, but putting the tin hat on a forgettable one for those from the North West.

It's out of Harps' hands now. Victory against Shamrock Rovers is now a necessity, but that may not even be enough to preserve their top-flight status.

They must hope what has been an epic race for survival takes one last and final twist in their favour.