Finn Harps maintained their unbeaten run to eight games with as Nathan Boyle struck twice in a come-from-behind win at Athlone Town.
Athlone Town 1 Finn Harps 3
Boyle’s brace saw Harps overturn an early deficit while a Keith Cowan cracker sealed an important win for Ollie Horgan’s team – Harps’ first away win in Lissywoolen in seven years.
Athlone are now 41 League games without a win – a sequence that stretches way back to May 2017 – but the Midlanders, who entered the game with just two draws to their name this season, took a surprise early lead.
Nika Kalandarishvilli beat Ciaran Gallagher with a header from a feee kick. It was the first League goal past Gallagher in two months of action.
Harps, though, drew level when Boyle prodded home from close range in the 34th minute.
The Derry native, a summer recruit back for another spell at Finn Park, struck a second 20 minutes later, riffling in off the post to give Michael Fogarty no chance.
The lively Mikey Place and Jacob Borg – who both scored in last weekend’s 3-1 FAI Cup win over Bray – had chances, but Harps wrapped up the win in some style as Cowan thundered home a stunning volley.
Athlone finished with ten men after Josh Horgan was forced off injured at a time when all of the home side’s replacements were on.
Athlone Town: Michael Fogarty, Aaron Brilly, Victor Ekanem (Ciaran Burns 63), Ian Fletcher, Jamie Broderick, Ciaran Grogan, Josh Hogan, Shane Stokes (Craig Canty 80), Nika Kalandarishvilli, Rory McCullough, George Mukete (Ollie Hamzat 75).
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Jacob Borg, Keith Cowan, Sam Todd; John Kavanagh, Mark Coyle, Gareth Harkin, Timmie Sobowale, Ciaran Coll (Mark Coyle 84); Nathan Boyle (John O’Flynn 87), Mikey Place (Jesse Devers 77).
Referee: John McLoughlin.
