Athlone Town 3-0 Kildare County

Athlone Town recorded their biggest win of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over bottom club Kildare County at Lissywollen.

The home side took the lead with just 90 seconds played after Joey Maloney's shot was deflected behind off a County defender.

Maloney took the resulting corner kick and Jim Sheridan powerfully headed the ball to the net and send Athlone on their way to victory.

John Mernagh and Ian Coffey had further chances for the home side, while Kildare's best chance came midway through the half as the woodwork denied the visitors an equalising score.

Goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly came to gather Issaka Baba's corner kick, but Colin Murray got there first only to see his headed effort hit the crossbar and go wide.

Earlier Kildare's new signing Philip Hughes was denied by Kelly as both sides carved out openings in an evenly contested first half.

Athlone were the better side on the resumption of play and sealed victory with two further goals from substitute Eric Lavine.

Ian Coffey had an early chance for the home side but miskicked from Jason McCartney's left wing cross.

Veteran striker Lavine was introduced on the hour mark in place of Mernagh and five minutes later was on the score sheet with a beautiful finish.

Ciaran Kelly's free kick from midway inside his own half picked out Lavine who turned and shot past Austin O’Neill's right hand side for his first goal of the season.

Athlone dominated thereafter as Kildare had no response following the second goal.

Ian Coffey was unlucky not to find the net on two occasions but strike partner Lavine was on target again with his second and Athlone's third on 74 minutes.

Joey Maloney's corner kick was not cleared by the County defence and Lavine coolly found the net from the edge of the six yard box.

The winning margin could have been greater as Kildare left large gaps in midfield for Athlone to exploit.

Carmine Russo and Colm Jinks should have punished the visitors before the final whistle but poor finishing let down the home midfield duo.

Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Reilly, Keady, Sheridan, Russo, Maloney, Jinks, Mernagh (Lavine 59), Coffey, Hamm (McCartney 44).

Kildare County: O’Neill, Slattery (Robinson 60), Mooney, Murray (Kilkenny 24), Brophy, Fortune, Tyrrell, Baba, Hughes, Kilduff, Kavanagh (Morgan 63).

Referee: M Gough (Limerick)