FAI Cup third round/ Finn Harps 0 Athlone Town 0: Struggling Athlone Town's miserable season received a boost following their draw against Finn Harps in the third round of the FAI Cup at Finn Park on Saturday.
The midlanders went into the clash on the back of six straight defeats and few gave them much chance against an improving Harps outfit who were unbeaten in the preceding five outings.
But Athlone boss Michael O'Connor knows they still have a lot of work to do if they are to progress to the last eight after tomorrow night's replay at St Mel's Park.
His counterpart, Anthony Gorman, was disappointed Harps were held, but praised Athlone. "Their defence did very well and goalkeeper Danny O'Leary made a number of very good saves," he said. "On the plus side, it was the first time this season we have kept two clean sheets, but we may be down to just one striker available for the replay as Davitt Walsh picked up a dead leg."
O'Leary made good saves to thwart Darren Meenan and Matthew Crossan in the first half and from Michael Funston after the interval. Pádraig Moran had a late chance to snatch victory for the visitors but it would have been rough justice on a Harps side who were the more creative.
When the sides last met in the FAI Cup, 10 years ago, Athlone managed to get a draw at Finn Park, but lost the replay 4-1.
FINN HARPS: Gallagher, McGowan, Minnock, Asokuh, Bradley, Funston, Curran, Bell, Meenan, Walsh, Crossan. Subs: Malseed for Walsh (69 mins), McGavigan for Curran (81 mins).
ATHLONE TOWN: O'Leary, Rush, Rossiter, Hope, Sheridan, Fortune, Gavin, Feeney, Lavine, McGee, Moran. Subs: Kelly for Rush (72 mins), Lakatas for McGee (77 mins).
Referee: R Winters (Dublin)
