Dundalk’s title aspirations suffered a severe setback when Athlone Town fought back from two goals down to eventually share the spoils at Lissywollen and end a ten game losing run against the Lilywhites.
Dundalk had the ideal start when new signing Derek Doyle scored his first goal for his new club after just three minutes play.
Doyle sent a left footed strike to the net from the edge of the penalty area after Paul Smyth’s cross had deflected off Des Hope into his path.
An away win looked the likely outcome when the Lilywhites doubled their tally after 18 minutes as Jamie Duffy’s chip over goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly from the right crossed the goal line in spite of the best attempts of Robbie Hamm to clear off the line.
Athlone were handed a lifeline after 27 minutes when Noel McGee reduced the deficit with a neat strike from six yards after Joey Maloney’s free kick from the left had caused confusion among the Dundalk ranks.
The home side thereafter dominated proceedings until half-time as Dundalk failed to build on their bright start.
Chris Bennion did well to tip over a clever chip from Maloney while Colm Jinks then shot over as confidence grew among the home players.
Just before the break veteran striker Eric Lavine started the move that almost ended with Athlone heading in for half-time on level terms. Although Robbie Hamm’s shot from the left beat the advancing Bennion, central defender Ben Whelehan was well placed to clear the ball off the goal line and behind for a corner kick.
Athlone had lots of possession on the resumption as Dundalk desperately hung on to their slender lead.
McGee had a shot saved on the hour mark but was not to be denied just past the midway point when his second goal of the night secured a deserved point for the home side.
Carmine Russo deliver a good cross into the penalty area from the right and Athlone’s top scorer found the net with a low shot on the turn which crept inside Bennion’s near post.
Few clear-cut chances were then created before the full-time whistle blew with Duffy coming closest for the visitors with a shot which went just past the post while midfielder Colm Jinks had the best chance for Athlone.
Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Hamm, Hope, Keady, Reilly, Maloney (McCartney 79), Jinks, Lavine, McGee (Dunne 84), Russo.
Dundalk: Bennion, Flanagan, Crawley, Ryan (Marney 72), Whelehan, Crowley, Duffy, Cassidy, Smyth (Vaughan 62), Baker, Doyle (Shiels 56)
Referee: P.Caschera (Dublin)
