Despite taking the lead twice Harps were held to a 2-2 draw by play-off rivals Bray Wanderers, a result that along with wins for Athlone Town and Wexford Youths more or less ends their play-off hopes.
They now need to win their last two games , both at home, Wexford Youths on Monday and Treaty Utd next Friday and hope Bray Wanderers lose in Cobh.
Bray Wanderers…2 Finn Harps …2
But even that may not be enough as the Seasiders have a much superior goal difference, +11 at the moment.
Finn Harps went into this meeting with Bray Wanderers knowing that defeat would probably end their play-off chances but with two home games to come next week to finish their season, a victory would keep those hopes alive.
Bray Wanderers had the better of the earlier stages and Harps keeper Oisín Cooney had to be alert, making several good saves to deny the home team an early lead.
That pattern continued as the home side dominated , Cooney did his job of keeping them out and Harps were finding it difficult to threaten in attack.
Then in the 36th minute and totally against the run of play Harps took the lead , Sean Patton sliding a super pass to match Tony McNamee’s perfectly timed run and the Harps captain gave keeper Corcoran no chance with an excellent finish, 0-1 to Harps.
Both ‘keepers made good saves in the minutes before half-time and Harps led at the break.
Unfortunately that didn’t last too long as Bray equalised two minutes into the second-half, Cristian Magerusan setting up Guillermo Penalver who scored, despite a great effort again by Cooney.
The home team pushed on looking for a lead goal and Cooney denied Magerusan on the hour with another fine save.
Harps survived a few anxious moments and regained the lead in the 73rd minute, Success Edogun was fouled by Zach Nolan and the Harps man blasted the resulting penalty into the net, 1-2 to Harps and an important final quarter to come.
But once again the lead didn’t last long , two minutes later former Killian Cantwell burst forward and found Shane Griffin who hammered a super drive past Cooney into the roof of the net, 2-2 and that’s how it ended.
Finn Harps ; Oisín Cooney, Jamie Watson, Matty Makins, Noe Baba , Patrick Ferry , Max Hutchinson, Tony McNamee , Ryan Rainey (Gavin McAteer 78mins), Sean Patton , Success Edogun ( Max Johnston 88mins), Luke O Brien.
