Ulster Senior League champions Fanad United are into the last 16 of the Ford FAI Cup after a dramatic win over St John Bosco.
The Dublin AUL side looked to have done enough to take this game to a replay but Paddy McGrenaghan struck a late penalty to give Fanad victory.
The former Finn Harps player kept his cool to convert from the spot two minutes into injury-time after Stephen O’Donnell had gone down under the challenge of Bosco keeper, Robert Costello.
With this game coming out of season for these sides, both teams were under-strength but Fanad were the better team.
St John Bosco, making their debut at this stage of the competition, never really troubled their opponents who dominated the exchanges in the second half.
Eamonn Sheridan wasted a good chance to give them the lead when he shot over after being set up by Paddy McNulty.
Costello was also well placed to save from Christy Conaghan.
McNulty certainly caused plenty of problems in attack while Conaghan and recent signing, Kieran Gorman also played well.
But it was McGrenaghan who did most of the damage for Fanad and time and again he was involved as Fanad pushed for the breakthrough.
O'Donnell, Paul Nash and Conaghan all went close. And when Costello was eventually beaten, Ciaran Smith was perfectly positioned to scramble Seimi Friel’s header off the line.
At the other end, Darren Nash was rarely tested in the Fanad goal but Bosco did enjoy some decent periods in the game.
Their best chance of an opening fell to midfielder Damien Dunne whose long-range effort mid-way through the second half was not too far wide.
Both teams made changes in the closing stages and young Ryan McCullagh certainly made an impact for the home side when introduced to their attack.
However, just when it seemed this tie was heading for a replay, Fanad scored the winner two minutes into injury-time. Costello spilled a McGrenaghan cross and as he attempted to retrieve the ball, he fouled Stephen O’Donnell.
McGrenaghan showed great composure to fire the resulting penalty to the bottom corner and send Fanad through to the third round.
Fanad Utd: D. Nash, Hagan (Peoples 90), Friel, Doherty, Gorman, P. Nash, Conaghan, O’Donnell, Sheridan (McCullagh 67), McNulty, McGrenaghan.
St John Bosco: Costello, Smith, Burke (Davitt 90), Byrne, Purdy, Dunne, Shannon, McElligott (Weduch 72), Parkes, Wilton, Connolly (Usaman 72).
Referee: Paul Deering (Sligo).
