Mervue United 2 - 4 Athlone Town
Nine-man Athlone Town further stretched their lead at the top of the first division table thanks to two goals each from Philip Gorman and Enda Curran at Fahy's Field last night.
Mervue's hoodoo against the midlanders continues as Ryan Manning and Barry O'Mahony missed penalties for the hosts and Aidan Collins and Paul Skinner saw red for Athlone. Town took the lead from the spot when Mervue keeper Conor Gleeson upended Curran and Gorman slotted home.
Stephen Walsh headed Mervue level before Gorman put Athlone 2-1 in front just before the break as Gleeson missed a ball after the restart and Curran tapped into the empty net.
Tom King gave Mervue hope with a fine finish to make it 3-2 before Curran netted his second and sealed the win for Athlone. Skinner saw red late on for striking Walsh and O'Mahony missed Mervue's second penalty of the night striking the bar.
Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Joe Woods, Ross Kenny (Gary Shanahan 66), Martin Conneely, Marc Ludden; Tom King, Paul Sinnott, Barry O'Mahoney, Jason Molloy; Ryan Manning, Stephen Walsh.
Subs not used: Conor O'Malley, Alex Lee, Kenny Farrell, Damian O'Rourke, Brendan Lavelle, Michael Duffy.
Booked: Molloy (70).
Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Roddy Collins, Aidan Collins, Sean Byrne, Conor McMahon; Mark Hughes, Graham Kelly (Neil Harney 19), James O'Brien, Barry Clancy; Enda Curran, Philip Gorman (Ian Sweeney 77 (Craig Sexton 85)).
Subs not used: Niall Lanigan, Eoin McCormack, Garvan Broughall, Garbhan Coughlan.
Booked: R Collins (60), Clancy (82).
Sent Off: A Collins (9), Skinner (84).
Referee: Andrew Mullally.
Attendance: