Treaty United breathed fresh life into their late playoff push as goals from Marc Ludden and Dean George defeated Finn Harps tonight at the Markets Field.

Treaty United breathed fresh life into their late playoff push as goals from Marc Ludden and Dean George defeated Finn Harps tonight at the Markets Field.

Three points for Tommy Barrett’s men combined with Athlone Town’s defeat by Bray Wanderers sees the Shannonsiders reduce the gap to just two points entering the final games. 

With six points still available, they are breathing down ‘de Town’s’ neck for a shot at promotion to the Premier Division.

Playing a historic 2000^th club game across their decorated League of Ireland existence, Finn Harps started Aaron McLaughlin up front, the forward having scored on his last visit here in May.

Matchwinner when they last met, Treaty’s Dean George slashed an early shot over, Success Edogun also buzzing around menacingly in the home attack.

Under pressure early on, Harps again had keeper, Antonio Tuta to thank for saving from Marc Ludden, George then smashing an effort off target moments later.

Scrappiness was a prominent feature of a first half that flickered, but like both sides’ attack, never fully found its rhythm.

Whilst McLaughlin and co were somewhat starved of, sufficient, service, Edogun was gifted the half’s best chance by a lax Harps clearance, the home striker badly miscuing his attempt, though.

Ryan Flood then fired over from distance, Ben O’Riordan replying with a header whistling just high.

Requiring a goal to keep their playoff push a reality, Treaty got the much-needed breakthrough six minutes after the resumption.

Referee, Alan Patchell pointing to the spot after Adam Lennon was tripped by Harps, skipper, Tony McNamee. 

Up stepped Marc Ludden, who dispatched the spot kick clinically to the corner, Treaty ahead and almost doubling their lead only for Edogun to see another effort saved by Tuta.

Soon enough, the hosts had a second though as the home crowd could savour witnessing a smart set piece, routine coming off perfectly on the pitch.

Conor Barry delivered a tantalising corner, which was met by a fantastic, flying, flicked header by George, the forward netting his seventh strike of the season and his second against Harps.

Struggling to get a grip, substitute Max Hutchison had Harps’ best chance to half the arrears as a flowing move resulted in Jamie Watson’s cutback finding the replacement who shot straight, tamely at home goalkeeper, Corey Chambers.

Facing the top two to finish, in the daunting opposition of Galway United and Waterford, there is still plenty of work for the Limerick outfit to do if they are to book a shot at glory.  Harps will want to give their supporters something to cheer for in their remaining fixtures.

It’s a week’s recovery now for both these sides before their penultimate match of the First Division season next Saturday.

That sees them conclude home campaigns respectively, Harps hosting Athlone Town whilst Treaty welcome league champions, Galway United, both keen to send the fans home happy.