Steve Feeney's 90th-minute goal gave Athlone Town a 2-1 win over Finn Harps in the eircom League First Division tonight at St Mel's Park.
Harps took an early lead when player/manager Anthony Gorman’s free kick from the edge of the box took a deflection, taking it just out of the reach of Athlone keeper Danny O’Leary.
The visitors had earlier spurned a great chance, when Danny O’Leary failed to properly clear a Kevin Williamson back pass. O’Leary passed straight to Darren Meenan, but the Harps striker could only shoot straight into the arms of the grateful O’Leary.
Athlone had strong appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Neil Doyle, when Istvan Lakatos had his heels clipped inside the box, sending the Hungarian to the deck.
Three minutes later on 16 minutes, Eric Lavine had the ball taken off his toe by Eloka Asokuh just as he was about to shoot.
Harps had plenty of possession in the first half, but had very few real clear cut chances on goal.
On 38 minutes, the unmarked Shane Bradley headed wide from a corner kick. Then three minutes before the break, Darren Meenan found himself in acres of space at the back post, but he directed his header left and wide.
The second half continued like the first, but neither side really threatening. That was up until the 65th minute, when Noel McGee sent a glancing header past Harps keeper James Gallagher after he got on the end of a Steve Gavin cross.
Substitute Mark Sherlock almost gave Athlone the lead on 69 minutes. Only on the pitch 60 seconds, Sherlock’s header looked destined to creep inside the near post, but Gallagher produced a fantastic save to deny him.
Harps then had another great chance to grab a second goal of their own. Danny O’Leary left his goal and made himself big in front of Stephen O’Donnell. O’Donnell opted to cross to Barry Curran who somehow shot wide of an open goal.
Then right at the death, Athlone found a winner. Steve Feeney got on the end of a Kevin Williamson corner and thumped a header to the back of the net from close range.
Athlone Town: Danny O’Leary, Ian Rossiter, Kevin Williamson, Tom Silke, Des Hope, Steve Feeney, Istvan Lakatos, Damien Rushe, Eric Lavine, Noel McGee, Steven Gavin.
Subs: Mark Sherlock for Lavine (68), Jim Sheridan for Silke (86).
Finn Harps: James Gallagher, Shaun McGowan, Jonathan Minnock, Eloka Asokuh, Shane Bradley, Michael Funston, Barry Curran, David Bell, Stephen O’Donnell, Darren Meenan, Anthony Gorman.
Subs: Matthew Crossan for Meenan (59).
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
