Kerry FC suffered their first defeat in the league since Matchday 3 as Athlone came from behind to take the points. 

Kennedy Amechi gave the Kingdom the lead in the first half from the spot before Ruben Candal equalised on the stroke of halftime.

Mujaguzi netted the winner for the away side just after the hour mark with a superb acrobatic effort, definitely worthy of a game-winning goal. 

Kerry FC will look to make up ground on the sides above them next Friday night when they travel to Bray Wanderers whilst Athlone Town host Cobh Ramblers in Lissywollen. 

The hosts had the first big chance of the game through the ingenuity of Ryan Kelliher who received a pass with his back to goal and flicked up and out before smashing towards the bottom corner but Minogue was equal to the effort. 

Just before the fifteenth minute Sean McGrath found himself running at a retreating Athlone defence and with the space open tried to bend a shot towards the top corner but Enda Minogue produced a wonderful fingertip save to keep the game level. 

Just after the twenty-minute mark of the tie Kerry FC were awarded a penalty after a huge scramble in the box ended up striking the arm of Aaron Connolly and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Kennedy Amechi stepped up and calmly slotted into the bottom left-hand corner to give his side the lead.

That was the sixth penalty Kerry FC have been awarded in all competitions but just the second they have converted. Both Ryan Kelliher and Daniel Okwute had missed penalties into the same end of Mounthawk Park this year. 

It was not until towards the end of the half that Athlone finally started to have an impact in the game. Brian Torre was proving their best outlet down the left-hand side, his cross was volleyed by Ruben Candal before the rebound fell to Matthew Leal who smashed wide. 

Athlone got back on level terms right on the stroke of half time when a cross from the right from Duffy landed in the box and clipped the heels of Aladesanusi, fortuitously falling to Ruben Candal who made no mistake slotting into the bottom corner. An unfortunate bounce for the home side but Athlone had been playing their way into the tie in the spell before the goal so they can say they crafted their own luck. 

At the start of the second half Kerry could’ve taken the lead once more after a Sean O’Connell corner was recycled back to the head of Andy Spain who flicked towards the net onto Daire McCarthy who would be disappointed to put his header wide of the net. 

Athlone were forced into a change early in the half when Oisin Duffy was replaced by Armardo Oakley after picking up a hamstring injury.

The Town almost took the lead for the first time in the tie when Ebbe rose highest off a deep cross and beat Tuta in the air to the ball but Kevin Williams was able to sprint back and clear off the line. 

The away side took the lead just after the hour mark thanks to an effort that will certainly be nominated for goal of the month if not the season. A long throw from Campion-Hinds broke to the edge of the area where Carl Mujaguzi produced an incredible acrobatic effort to swing the ball into the top left-hand corner, nothing that Tuta could do about it.

To the surprise of the home fans, Conor McCarthy made a triple change with twenty minutes to go that saw Kevin Williams, Ronan Teahan and Ryan Kelliher all make way. All three of which the supporters believed were having a good game until that point. 

Despite being behind, Kerry were struggling to show any momentum with Athlone looking much more likely to get a third than concede an equaliser. Mujaguzi found himself with lots of time and space in the box but his shot smashed back off the upright. 

Kerry did have a chance from a free kick 22 yards from goal in the closing minutes but substitute Cian Brosnan fired against the wall, which just about summed up the Kerry performance on the night.

Tetteh made a brief appearence late in the game for the away side and the man on loan from Shamrock Rovers had a huge chance to secure the win but dragged his shot on the break wide of the post.

The unbeaten streak comes to a close for Conor McCarthy’s men whilst Athlone get a much needed away victory and are building well for a playoff push.