Athlone dealt Shelbourne’s title chances a big blow after beating the Reds 2-0 in Lissywollen this evening.

There were large periods of little chances in this one, but a three minute period in the second half that saw Scarlett Heron and Kellie Brennan net for the town ultimately decided it.

Shels dominated possession and had some half chances in the opening few minutes of this game. They looked dangerous but never had a chance that looked like it was going in.

This allowed Athlone to come into it and they had a couple of chances in the 17^th and 18^th minute. Muireann Devaney forced a Budden save from a long shot and Heron headed the resulting corner over.

The visitors had their best chance of the half and essentially the match in the 41^st minute. A ball from the right came into Abbie Larkin’s possession and the Athlone defence stood off her.

This allowed Larkin to turn and shoot, but she blasted over. Arguably a chance she should’ve taken.

By the hour mark the match continued to lack any real flow but substitute Kellie Brennan wound up having a real effect on the match. In ten minutes time, she’d have set up a chance and scored one herself.

In the 65^th minute Brennan was found in oceans of space on the left hand side and drove at the Shels defence, eventually working a scoring opportunity. Her effort forced Budden to palm over a certain goal at the near post and the following corner proved fruitful.

Melissa O’Kane swung it in from the left and every Shels defender missed it, allowing Heron to pop up and nod the header in. From here, Athlone drove on.

Just three minutes later their attack had a spell of pressure just outside the box which resulted in a half clearance out right being chased down by Corbet. Corbet chased the ball, swung it in and hit the bar.

Budden was unfortunate as her effort to tip over the cross left her stranded and after it hit the woodwork, the ball fell to Brennan for a headed tap in. In a matter of minutes, this one was sealed.

The visitors failed to threaten the rest of the way and came away with a loss. Athlone now move to two points behind Shels, but will remain in 4^th as Peamount look set to beat Sligo. With a win against Treaty, Wexford Youths will move 4 points clear at the top.