Gillian Keenan’s late strike saw high flying Athlone Town continue their winning ways against Sligo Rovers on Saturday.
The victory at the Showgrounds, combined with results elsewhere in the Womens National League leaves Athlone sitting.
Despite going behind early on, Athlone dominated and may feel that they should have won by more. Forward Maddison Gibson was outstanding and levelled affairs midway through the first-half.
Despite creating a string of chances and playing virtually the entire second 45 minutes in Sligo territory. Athlone were frustrated in their attempts to find a second goal.
Just when it seemed that Sligo’s defensive heroics might earn them a point, Keenan rifled home a super cross from Gibson in the 86th minute.
Athlone put Silgo under immense pressure from the kick-off, and the marauding Roisin Molloy was most unlucky not to give the Midlanders' a first minute lead when her shot came off the Sligo crossbar.
Despite being on the back foot in the early stages, it was the hosts who took the lead in the eight minute.
Athlone failed to deal with a Sligo break through the middle, the ball fell kindly for Sligo's Gemma McGuinness whose superb strike to the far post beat the diving Niamh Coombes.
Despite that setback Athlone picked up where they left off and continued to heap pressure on the Sligo defence.
After a couple of near misses Athlone deservedly equalised on 20 minutes A sublime strike by Gibson from outside the box dipped into the roof of the Sligo net.
Sligo continued to threaten on the break and could consider themselves a tad unlucky not to gone into the break ahead when a dangerous shot Doherty went just outside the Athlone post.
Athlone upped their intensity as the second-half progressed and enjoyed lengthy spells of possession.
As the game drifted towards the final whistle Athlone supporters feared that a clean shot or a telling final ball that would yield a go-ahead goal was not going to happen.
To their credit Athlone's players never panicked and kept their focus firmly on the task at hand.
Kellie Brennan fed Gibson, who drove into the Sligo danger zone, and hit the perfect cross to the unmarked Keenan.
The midfielder's perfect clinical strike to the bottom corner of the Sligo net sealed the win for Athlone.
Up next for Athlone Town ladies is a top of the table clash away to league leaders Shelbourne.
Athlone Town: Niamh Coombes; Jessica Hennessy, Melissa O'Kane, Laurie Ryan; Roisin Molloy, Scarlett Herron, Gillian Keenan, Muireann Devaney, Kelsey Munroe; Maddie Gibson, Emily Corbet.
Subs: Kellie Brennan for Corbet 65 minutes.
Sligo Rovers Women: Farah McDonagh; Leah Kelly, Orna O'Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Lauren Doherty, Amy Roddy, Kelly O'Hara, Paula McGrory.
Subs: Ruth Monaghan for Roddy 24 mins, Katie Melly for Alanna Doherty 56 mins, Helen Monaghan for Hyndman.
Referee: Joe Hession.
