Finn Harps came from two goals down to wrestle a share of the points against an impressive Mervue Utd side at Fahy’s Field in Galway.
The top of the table clash started off quiet but exploded into life and saw the home side go 2-0 ahead after just 32 minutes.
A poor and uncharacteristic backpass by Shaun McGowan allowed Ryan Manning to steal in and ‘round Ciaran Gallagher to put Mervue ahead after 23 minutes.
When Brendan Lavelle added a second less than ten minutes later, you felt like Harps were heading for their first defeat of the campaign.
It remained that way until the break with Harps being limited to few if any openings by a mean Galway defence.
Thomas McGonagle gave Harps some glimmer of hope when he netted from close range when Mervue failed to clear a corner after 56 minutes.
Harps were back on level terms after 61 minutes when Kevin McHugh netted from the penalty spot after Paul Sinnott was adjudged to have handled inside the area.
All Harps hard work looked to be wasted in the 71st minute when Mervue were awarded a penalty.
Brendan Lavelle was put through and the outrushing Ciaran Gallagher took him down and received a yellow card.
Gallagher more than redeemed himself however when he saved the resulting effort from Jason Molloy.
Peter Hutton will be delighted that his team managed to hang out to share the spoils.
It was undoubtedly Harps toughest test to date and it wouldn’t be surprising if these sides were still battling it out at the end of the season.
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