Sligo Rovers twice led but were twice pegged back by a stubborn Galway United as the sides played out an absorbing Connacht derby at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Luke Pearce scored his second league goal of the season to put Rovers ahead after 34 minutes, the visitors leading at the break.

Former Bit O’Red midfielder Jimmy Keohane leveled the game just shy of the hour before Simon Power headed Sligo back into the lead.

The second half was played mainly in the Rovers half and the United pressure told again seven minutes from time when substitute Stephen Walsh grabbed Galway’s second. 

The result means fifth place is the highest position Rovers can finish in ahead of next Friday’s final game of the season against St Pat’s.

Rovers started this one the better of the two sides although Ed McGinty did have to make a save to deny an early United effort. 

John Russell’s men went ahead when Will Fitzgerald glanced a Power cross from the right towards Pearce who was on hand to head home. 

Rovers easily dealt with Galway for the remainder of the half and limited them to opportunities from range. Although Francely Lomboto did strike McGinty’s post with one of those efforts. 

John Caulfield adjusted the hosts’ approach and Rovers struggled at times to deal with the Tribesmen’s direct style of play in the second period. 

Their equaliser came just before the hour when Keohane headed home from close range.

Undeterred, Rovers struck back 90 seconds later. Power rising majestically to divert Reece Hutchinson’s cross beyond the helpless Brendan Clarke.

Rovers lost both starting centre halves Gareth McElroy and Ollie Denham to knocks. John Mahon, playing his first competitive game in almost one year to the day and Charlie Wiggett, both sprung from the bench, finished the game in front of McGinty. 

Galway targeted Rovers from set-pieces and long throws and their efforts paid off when Walsh, again with a header, equalised to share the spoils. 

Galway United: Clarke; Brouder, Hurley, Hickey, Borden (McCormack 45); Burns (Donelon 45), Lomboto (Walsh 69), Keohane, Horgan (Esua 45), McCarthy (O’Sullivan 80); Buckley.

Sligo Rovers: McGinty; Wilson, Hutchinson, Fitzgerald, Morahan; Pearce (Elding 62), Denham (Mahon 76), Henry-Francis, Power, Malley (Chapman 62); McElroy (Wiggett 89).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.