Athlone shock First Division leaders
Friday, 14 July 2006 23:20Limerick remain top of the eircom First Division despite a slipping to a surprise 2-1 home defeat to an industrious Athlone Town side at Hogan Park tonight.
Midfielder Eric Lavine bagged the points for the midlanders, heading home a Colin Fortune corner against the run of play in the 73rd minute.
Pat Purcell had opened the scoring for Limerick with a neat side footed effort from a ninth- minute Kevin Waters corner.
Padraig Moran restored parity for the visitors after taking advantage of some unconvincing defending to head home on the half-hour mark.
Moran almost edged his side in front minutes later but his far post header from a searching Istaven Lakotas cross was brilliantly saved by Lims keeper Noel Mooney.
Shortly before that Brain McCarthy had gone close for Mike O'Connor's side with a firm header from a Lavine cross which was held by the Blues keeper.
Limerick, who are showing sings of fatigue after playing their ninth game in all competitions since June 23, picked up the pace after the break and should have taken the lead.
Colm Heffernan was first to go close with a low shot which was deflected off the post and then Town keeper Danny O'Leary had to fist away a rasping 25-yard Robbie Kelleher drive.
Purcell headed over from eight yards before a Kelleher effort was stopped by O'Leary.
Lims paid the price for spurning those opportunities when Lavine was left unmarked to head home Fortune's corner just outside the six-yard box.
