Athlone move on in First Division play-offs after draw with Wexford

Divin Isamala should have equalised for Wexford late in the game. 

PROGRESS: Darragh Levingston of Wexford in action against Aaron Connolly, left, and Leo Gaxha of Athlone Town during the SSE Airtricity First Division play-off semi-final second leg. Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division play-off semi-final second leg: Wexford FC 0 Athlone Town 0 (Athlone Town win 1-0 on aggregate) 

ATHLONE TOWN lived desperately on their nerves through the closing ten minutes but their one goal from the opening leg ensured their passage to the Division 1 final play-off as they saw off a wasteful Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park.

Had the midlanders lost this game they could have had few regrets as the homeside took advantage of their possession through the closing ten minutes creating three clear-cut opportunities in the process but they failed miserably to come up with a single goal.

Athlone enjoyed most of the possession early on as they tested Wexford's back four in an effort to increase their single goal advantage, but 'keeper Walsh dealt capably with a free-kick from just outside the area.

Wexford began to come more into the game with Thomas Oluwa, their main threat. His runs were closely monitored by the visitors. Through the opening twenty minutes the game was quite scrappy, but on the half hour a great Wexford flowing move involving sub Crowley and Oluwa set up Dobbs but he pulled his shot wide.

Wexford were doing most of the pressing with a snap-shot from Oluwa testing keeper Minnock, while just on the break Athlone's Robinson was presented with a great chance but he blazed over the top from inside the area leaving it scoreless at the interval.

Athlone forced the first corner of the second period but keeper Walsh dealt capably with the kick but as the half progressed both sides found it difficult to create chances.

On sixty-three minutes, Wexford's Lovic blasted the ball over the top in front of the goal when he should have found the target, while Athlone were restricted to counter attacks as Ebbe had an effort well held by keeper Walsh.

Wexford exerted pressure as the game moved into the closing ten minutes with sub Mikie Rowe having a shot cleared off the line by Torre, and with three minutes remaining, sub Harnett was denied by a further goalline clearance by Dylan Hand.

Athlone were now desperately holding on but five minutes into additional time, Wexford should have equalised when Divin Isamala saw his header from a few metres go outside the right post when he should have scored.

Wexford FC: C Walsh, D Levingston, D Isamala, L Temple, S McHale, J Crawford (M Rowe 60), M Hanratty, L Lovic (C Curtis 66), K Corbally (C Crowley 22), A Dobbs, T Oluwa (K Harnett 78).

Athlone Town: E Minogue, G Fuentes Rodriguez, N Van Geenan (A Connolly 45), D McKenna, D Hand, K Robinson (J Campion-Hinds 78), O Duffy (A Akeem Oakley (49) L Gaxha, B Torre, G Tetteh (A Babatunde 88).

Referee: Alan Patchell.