Shelbourne have secured the win 1-0 here after an entertaining encounter in Lissywollen.

Christie Gray has won it for Shels. Her header in the closing stages is enough to send the league champions home with all three points.

Smyth Lynch has another chance for Shels but her volley doesn't quite connect and it goes out for another kick out for the home side. This game can still go either way. But Shels are looking the most likely to score here.

Best move of the half sees a combination of Roisin Molloy and Dana Scheriff before Maddie Gibson played a slide rule pass to Muireann Devaney, the Leitrim player's effort just off target but had Maguire worried.

Gemma Quinn has the ball in the net but the referee had blown up for an offside a long time before she lopped Peterkin.

A long ball over the top from Keeva Keenan isn't dealt with by the Athlone defence. Christie Gray gets her head on the ball first but Peterkin makes an acrobatic save to deny the American.

Shelboourne almost get the lead goal as Kellie Brennan puts Maguire under pressure and her sliced kick lets Chloe Singleton in. Maguire lunges in to try and stop the Athlone midfielder but almost gives away a penalty with her wild attempt at a tackle. Singleton stays up and her effort rebounds off the post to save the keepers blushes.

Athlone force the first corner of the second half as Maddie Gibson's centre is knocked behind by a Shels defender.

HALF TIME: Athlone Town 0-0 Shelbourne

It's Shel's turn to break as the last act of the first half sees Noelle Murray sell a dummy to create some space but the combination of Singleton and Peterkin are enough to snuff out the threat from the veteran striker.

A quick break down the field sees Maddie Gibson burst through the Shels defence and get an effort on goal but doesn't bother Maguire as she gathers safely.

Approaching the half time here and the home crowd are irate at the assistant referee's decision to award a corner after Athlone thought they had won possession. Shels claimed for a penalty as the ball flew through a few bodies appearing to hit a blue and black arm but the ref isn't interested.

Shels execute a lovely move from a throw in to the feet of Smyth Lynch who uses magic footwork to create a yard of space and she finds the target but Peterkin is equal to it pushing it over the bar. The resulting corner isn't dealt with by the American keeper and Shels almost poke it home but the home side survive and count their blessings.

A corner for Athlone sees Maddie Gibson almost score direct from the restart. The effort just looped over the Shels bar but it had the defenders worried.

Megan Smyth Lynch sees her long range effort always rising over the crossbar of Nyla Peterkin. The cross field ball from Noelle Murray in the buildup was a think of beauty though.

Another ball over the top almost releases both Muireann Devaney and Dana Scheriff but the ball runs through to Maguire who sends it to safety unceremoniously.

An early enforced change for the home side as Gillian Keenan is replaced by Kellie Brennan. She goes in up front as Maddie Gibson moves to the left wing.

Shels with their first real threat on goal as a great run from Christie Gray gives her space to find Jemma Quinn in the box. The forward can't control her header at the end of the driven cross and it goes out wide for a goal kick.

And then there were three. A through ball from Athlone finds Dana Scheriff who can't keep her effort down. Officials award a corner to the home side but they can't make the set piece count.

Another opportunity from Athlone as Chloe Singleton has a pot shot from distance. Never really in danger of bothering Maguire in goals for Shelbourne though.

First real opportunity as a great piece of skill gives Maddie Gibson enough space to send in a cross but fellow American Dana Scheriff can't direct her header on goal. The ball returns back into the box in the next move but Gibson is adjudged to have fouled the Shels defender.

It's been a scrappy encounter so far with premium chances few and far between as both teams size each other up in very wet conditions in Athlone.

Underway in Lissywollen