Athlone Town rescued a point in controversial circumstances when they were awarded a penalty kick deep into stoppage time against Monaghan United at Lissywoolen.
Monaghan took the lead when a defensive mix up allowed Robbie Farrell gain possession of the ball on the left.
The United number nine's shot was only parried by Ciaran Kelly and Darren Meenan was quickest to react as he volleyed into the net from close range.
Noel McGee was guilty of missing some good chances for the home side and shot over an open goal soon after.
Athlone equalised midway through the opening half when Ryan Casey's cross into the penalty area from the left was allowed to bounce by Luke Fitzpatrick and Eric Lavine's shot was deflected past his own 'keeper by the unfortunate Andy Cousins.
Athlone thereafter dominated until half-time but could not find a way past Danny Woods in the visiting goal.
Ian Rossiter, Ryan Casey and Noel McGee all had efforts blocked with Lavine denied a second score by Luke Fitzpatrick who headed the ball behind for a corner kick.
The woodwork came to Monaghan's rescue before the break when Luke Hardy's shot bounced down off the crossbar but failed to cross the line.
Noel McGees follow up shot was pushed away by 'keeper Woods.
Athlone kept up the pressure after the break with substitute 'keeper Alvin Rouse denying Lavine early on.
Noel McGee missed another good chance just before the hour mark when he scooped the ball over the bar.
The final ten minutes saw chances created at either end with Ciaran Kelly making a good save to push away Fitzpatrick's header following a corner kick.
David O’Dowd headed wide for Athlone before Monaghan looked to have secured all three points with a goal of a freakish nature close to full time.
Ciaran Kelly's clearance hit off Darren Meenan and Robbie Farrell rolled the ball into an empty net from outside the penalty area.
Monaghan's Paul Whelan cracked a shot off the post in a dramatic period of stoppage time, with the game ending on a sour note when Barry Burke received a red card for disputing the award of a penalty kick to the home side three minutes into stoppage time.
The referee's assistant indicated that a Colin Fortune shot had been handled and the home side were handed the opportunity to grab a point from the resulting spot kick.
Alvin Rouse saved Ian Rossiter's first attempt but was helpless to deny the Athlone captain as he followed up to find the net and end a dramatic night of action in the Midlands.
Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Casey, Sheridan, McCarthy, Hardy, Russo (O’Dowd 66), Byrne, Lavine, McGee (Hamm 81), Heffernan (Fortune 39).
Monaghan United: Woods (Rouse h/t), Whelan, Williamson, Fitzpatrick, Mooney, Tierney, Cousins (Burke 65), Byrne, Farrell, Meenan, Gannon.
Referee: P. Sutton (Clare)
