Athlone Town 3<br><br>Sligo Rovers
3<br><br><br>Sean Flannery, the villain of the piece with a missed
penalty against Limerick last Saturday, was Sligo Rovers
hero in a six goal thriller at St. Mel’s Park last
night.. The striker came up trumps with two perfectly
executed spot kicks as Rovers earned a thoroughly deserved
draw in a dramatic contest.<br><br>Athlone bounced
back from a 2-1 interval deficit to take control in
the second half and they looked set to inflict the
first defeat of the season on Rovers when they edged
3-2 in front. But Don O’Riordan’s bravehearts
preserved their unbeaten record when Flannery blasted home
a penalty four minutes from time.<br><br>The
pattern for a rip roaring contest was set right from the
start as both sides created chances in a brisk opening.
The deadlock was broken after just six minutes.
Athlone keeper, Gary Connaughton, rushed from his line to
clear a back pass but only succeeded in playing the
ball into the path of Dolan who quickly volleyed it
back into the danger zone. As the alert Andrew
McLaughlin attempted to make the most of the opportunity, he
was needlessly bundled over by the
‘keeper.<br><br>Referee, Dave McKeown, had no hesitation in awarding a
penalty and Flannery was brave enough to accept the
responsibility. He struck the ball low and firm to the ‘keeper’s
right, giving Connaughton no
chance.<br><br>..Connaughton was obliged to come to his side’s rescue six
minutes later as he went full length to deflect a
stinging volley from Dolan around the upright following
good build-up play by Flannery.<br><br>Little was seen
of Athlone as an attacking force at this stage but
they hit Sligo with a stunning blow on the counter
attack in the 24th minute. Stephen Mullen delivered a
long ball over the top and Andy Myler, Athlone‘s
leading scorer last season, got in behind the defence
before hooking the ball over the advancing John
Healy.<br><br>Rovers responded in positive fashion and quickly
regained the lead. There seemed to be little danger to
Athlone when Raffaele Cretaro gained possession just
inside his own half but the tigerish midfielder set off
on a penetrating thirty yard run before firing an
unstoppable shot past the bewildered Connaughton from the
edge of the area.<br><br>Athlone were lucky not to
fall further behind four minutes before the break.
Colin Jinks picked out McTiernan with a defence
splitting pass but just when the striker seemed certain to
score, Connaughton came racing from his line to smother
the ball.<br><br>The Midlanders showed far greater
urgency after the break and were unlucky not to get on
level terms in the 53rd minute. Myler had a shot taken
off the line following a disputed free kick awarded
for an alleged pass back to the keeper and Maurice
O’Driscoll followed up on the rebound only to see his effort
crash against the crossbar..<br><br>Athlone’s pressure
paid off with a devastating two goal burst inside
three minutes. Brian Morrisroe slammed in the equaliser
on 66 minutes and then Myler unleashed a powerful 22
yard volley to the roof of the net three minutes
later.<br><br>It looked all over for Sligo at that stage but they
refused to throw in the towel and their perseverance was
rewarded with a dramatic 86th minute equaliser. Paul
Lally’s free kick from the left was handled in the area
by O’Driscoll and Flannery kept his nerve to plant
the spot kick beyond the reach of
Connaughton.<br><br>In a nailbiting finish, McTiernan and Flannery went
close to grabbing a late winner but the Athlone ‘keeper
proved equal to both efforts.<br><br>ATHLONE TOWN:
Connaughton, Fitzell, Doyle, Frawley, O’Driscoll, McNevin,
Morris-roe, Harte, Myler, Mullan, O’Brien. Sub: Collins for
Doyle (38 mins); Oliver for Frawley (64 mins);
Fitzpatrick for Morris-roe (85 mins).<br><br>SLIGO ROVERS:
Healy, Jinks, Lally, Hutchison, O’Dwyer, Mannering,
Cretaro, Dolan, Flannery, McTiernan, McLoughlin. Subs:
Glynn for Jinks (59 mins); Nibbs for McLoughlin (75
mins).<br><br>REFEREE: Mr.