First Division wrap: Athlone strike late, Bray earn win

Athlone Town continued their play-off push with an injury time goal from Kyle Robinson giving them a 2-1 victory over Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park.

The visitors arrived in East Cork and took an early lead through Leonardo Gaxha, and Matthew McKevitt equalised for the home side midway through the first half.

Robinson decided the destination of the three points by guiding in an Alexander Byrne cross, at the start of ten additional minutes.

Dario Castelo’s team were looking for their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, and they were forced to rethink their whole operation when Cobh attacked from the whistle.

The Ramblers were clearly out to make a point after losing successive games to Wexford in the league and Kerry in the FAI Cup, and that started with a close range attempt from James O’Leary going straight into the hands of Lee Axworthy Duggan.

A succession of corners followed, and two of these were pushed out of play after McKevitt got a head to the ball. Athlone survived and took the lead with their first shot on target, a moment that saw Gaxha sidefoot in a pass from Brian Toore in the 19th minute.

The Ramblers pushed up after the restart and Jack Larkin tried to create something with O’Leary, and their interplay ended in a Dylan Hand clearance.This was one of a number of small openings created during a burst which ended with Cian Browne setting up McKevitt for a shot on the edge of the area that rolled passed the Athlone goalkeeper the 28th minute.

The first half ended with chances for Gaxha and Matthew Leal inside the area and these were blocked by a scrambling Cobh defence. Athlone tried to pick up where they left off at the break, but they were unable to get a clear sight of goal the Liam McMahon Stand over