Athlone Town 1
Shamrock Rovers 1
ATHLONE TOWN SCORED late on to produce a shock result in front of a packed crowd at Lissywollen.
Karl Sheppard’s second-half goal was cancelled out in the closing stages by a wonder strike from Ian Sweeney to keep his side’s relegation fight alive.
Pat Fenlon started his second game in charge with his players holding on well to possession and pushing the home side back with Athlone struggling to get any supply to the lone man Philip Gorman upfront.
Gary McCabe nearly opened the scoring as proceedings got underway when Karl Sheppard’s through ball cut through the towns defence but the keeper collected safely in time.
The Town felt the majority of the pressure as the game closed in on half-time. Ryan Brennan was involved in a tangle next to the penalty spot with Coulter pulling off a spectacular save to keep the home side in the match at the break.
Shamrock Rovers’ pressure eventually paid off as the Athlone’s defence finally split when Karl Sheppard headed into the top corner with McCabe claiming the assist.
Rovers pressed heavily and should have at least doubled their advantage with Athlone only getting the slightest of chances on the counter attack but, as the game seemed to be getting away from them in the closing stages, Sweeney produced a moment that could save his side from relegation.
Rounding Conor Kenna and with his next touch rifling the ball from distance into the bottom corner keeping the home sides relegation fight alive.
Athlone Town: Ryan Coulter, Dylan Hayes, Derek Prendergast, Kealan Dillon (c), Mark Hughes, Philip Gorman, Kevin Knight, Declan Brennan (John Mulroy 67m), Eric Foley (Ian Sweeney 70m), Derek Doyle.
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy, David O’Connor, Conor Kenna (c), Jason McGinness, Simon Madden, Stephen McPhail, Robert Bayly, Ronan Finn (Dean Kelly 60m), Ryan Brennan (O’Connor 45m), Karl Sheppard, Gary McCabe.
Referee: Padraigh Sutton.