Manager John Caulfield was satisfied with another solid Galway United display in Wednesday afternoon's pre-season friendly 1-1 draw against Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Ultimately a lively match Corribside ended level as Padraic Cunningham's strike for United was cancelled out by Johnny Kenny's leveller.
"We are very happy," Caulfield says. "I thought that the first half was extremely competitive, I think we did well.
"The big thing is that it was getting another game under our belts, the lads worked extremely hard."
The opening quarter provided plenty of encouraging moments for United, who grabbed a second minute lead.
Conor O'Keeffe released Ruairi Keating, who drilled a cross into the path of Cunningham, and the Headford native obliged with an opportunistic finish.
Indeed the prominent Cunningham was unfortunate to have a second goal ruled out following an offside decision as the home team continued to probe.
United nearly added another goal before the break with Shane Duggan and Stephen Walsh going close during a sustained burst of pressure.
"A lot of the stuff we worked on the training ground came off," Caulfield reflected. "We created three or four chances in the first half, but couldn't get the second goal."
After the restart United custodian Conor Kearns had to be alert when making a fine reflex save to thwart Sligo's Jordan Gibson.
Sligo restored parity in the 70th minute when Kenny pounced to equalise following Gibson's inviting cross.
"You could see halfway through the second half we dropped our intensity," Caulfield added.
"We were sloppy for their goal, but overall we played a good Sligo team, who probably had eight or nine of their starting team for the season. For us it was a good workout."
Next on the agenda for United is an away fixture against Longford Town on Saturday. "Compared to the Finn Harps match I think this was another notch up performance and energy wise," Caulfield remarks. "I'm happy the attitude is good, we can move on to Saturday.
"Saturday gives us another chance to give lads game time so we are happy with that."
