Athlone Town created one of the shocks of the season when they sensationally dumped Finn Harps out of the Ford FAI Cup at Lissywollen.
Athlone had not won at home all season and were rooted to the bottom of the First Division table but a fighting second half display against Premier Division Harps saw them advance to the next round.
The woodwork came to the rescue of both sides in the opening half.
Firstly on 14 minutes Athlone’s Jason McCartney headed the ball against the butt of the upright after Ian Rossiters free kick from the right had been flicked on by Anthony Hayes.
Five minutes from half time it was the home side’s turn to breathe a sigh of relief as the crossbar denied Harps the lead.
Conor Gethins free-kick played into the penalty area from the left saw goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly claw away a Declan Boyle header and from 6 yards range Marc Mukendi shot against the crossbar with the ball then cleared to safety.
Athlone hit the front just two minutes after the restart when Davy Byrne’s ball forward picked out Colm Jinks inside the penalty area.
The Town midfielder saw his shot hit goalkeeper Gavin Cullen’s legs with the ball then going up in the air and dribbling over the line.
It got even better for the Town just after the hour mark when they doubled their advantage following a swift counter attack the length of the field.
A Shaun Holmes corner kick only went as far as Ian Rossiter who raced clear with the ball.
The Town captain picked out Robbie Hamm with a cross field ball and the number seven made no mistake with a cool finish past the keeper.
Athlone continued to dominate thereafter but Harps were handed a life line when they pulled a goal back with 11 minutes left.
Conor Gethins set up Michael Funston who sent a right footed volley to the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
The visitors however never looked like forcing a replay as in spite of the addition of five minutes extra the home defence - including man of the match Jim Sheridan - held firm against an out-of-sorts Harps attack.
Athlone Town: Kelly; Rossiter; Reilly; Sheridan; Keady; Jinks; Hamm (Scullion 69); Byrne; Lavine (McGee 83) Hayes; McCartney (Coffey 65).
Finn Harps: Cullen; Roddy (Breen 65); Holmes; Boyle; Mukendi; Shields; Funston; McGowan (Gill 47); Parkhouse; Gethins; Brolly.
Referee: R Rogers (Dublin)
