Athlone Town 1 Cobh Ramblers 0Athlone Town reached the last eight of the FAI Cup last night courtesy of a slender victory over fellow First Division side Cobh Ramblers at St Mel's Park.
Both teams created plenty of scoring chances in the opening half. Cobh hit the post in the 17th minute through James Cummins, while Dave Warren also made Anthony Fennelly work in the 26th minute.
The best opportunity of the half fell to Stephen Gavin whose superbly struck volley was carried away by Peter Cuthbert.
Gavin was instrumental in the only goal of the game in the 46th minute. His right-wing cross was headed home at the back post by Athlone defender Tom Silke.
Athlone should have doubled their lead in the 56th minute but Murphy blasted over from six yards.
The visitors pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying minutes but failed to create any real goal-scoring chances.
ATHLONE TOWN: A Fennelly, G O'Keeffe, R Shine, T Silke, D Hope, D Rushe, S Gavin, J McNicholas, M McCann, A Murphy, M Collins. Sub: I Davoren for Shine (76).
COBH RAMBLERS: P Cuthbert, D Warren, T White, D Hill, C Falvey, J Cummins, T Tynan, S Yelverton, C O'Shea, J Coker, R Brosnan. Sub: K O'Reilly for O'Shea (62).
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).
