A six-minute burst which produced three goals helped UCD to their first league win in over a month at Terryland Park.

The Students got off to a dream start when Nigel Keady headed the ball into his own net inside the first minute of the game. But Galway recovered their composure and squared things up in the 23rd minute - Irish underage international Ger Crossley finding the net with a low drive for his first goal in Galway colours.

United dominated the rest of the first half and looked well set to celebrate their 700th league game with a win. Instead, they collapsed in the second half and slumped to their heaviest home defeat of the season.

Ciaran Martyn started the rout in the 65th minute, beating David Forde to Eoin Bennis' near-post cross.

Three minutes later, Tony McDonnell popped up at the back post to nod home Kevin Grogan's free. And in the 71st minute, Bennis got in on the act himself, robbing Brendan O'Connor before shooting home.

Galway United: Forde, Keady, O'Connor, Silke, Murphy, Malee, Crossley, Sheridan, Fortune, Keogh, Lavine

Subs: Goldbey for Keogh 58 mins, Barba for Murphy 60 mins

Goal: Crossley 23

UCD: Ryan, McLoughlin, Delaney, McAuley, Mahon, J Martin, McDonnell, Kavanagh, Grogan, O'Donnell, Bennis

Sub: Martyn for O'Donnell (58 mins)

Goals: Keady o.g. 1, Martyn 65, McDonnell 69, Bennis 71

Referee: Aidan O'Regan (Cork)