Athlone Town won it at the death against 10-man Cabinteely tonight, outscoring the visitors two goals to one.

There was a hat-trick of lovely finishes in this one; James Doona right before the hour mark, Ben Feeney’s equaliser ten minutes from time and Kurtis Byrne’s last gasp strike made this an entertaining affair.

Athlone started well in this one with Shane Barnes and Doona popping up with early chances but neither converting. Doona often appeared out left in pockets of space, where he would look to cut in and test Adam Hayden. His efforts weren’t far off and failing to deal with this threat would eventually cost Cabinteely.

Feeney also tested his opposition keeper early, trying a long ranger on Micheál Schlingermann ten minutes in. The Athlone keeper was equal to it and pulled off numerous good saves throughout.

Perhaps the turning point came 19 minutes in - Keith Dalton lost possession of the ball and went into a 50/50 with Shane Barnes. The Cabinteely midfielder went in high and reckless and gave the ref no choice but to show the red card, leaving Cabinteely with ten men for most of the game.

Barnes missed a glorious chance soon after. He was played through and rounded Hayden, but his shot hit the side net. It started to look like it would be one of those nights for the town.

This game started to heat up around the 55 minute mark, right after Vilius Labutis was subbed on. Right after entering the fray, Labutis was given the ball on the edge of the area and fired a fine first time effort, but only found the side net.

Athlone heeded the warning and took the lead a minute later. Oisin Duffy got possession well in his own territory and with a brilliant switch found Doona, who cut onto his left and slid it into the bottom corner.

Cabinteely got their equaliser ten minutes from time. A through ball forced Feeney out right, but he came back onto his left and curled it into the far corner. Cabinteely looked like they were smelling blood after this.

The settler came in injury time after Kurtis Byrne got the ball with his back to goal, before turning and firing past Hayden, capping off an entertaining second half.

The result along with a Bray draw in Cork means Athlone are six points off the final playoff spot with three to play. They face new champions Shels in Tolka next week to try revive a run that seemed dead.