WATCH: Resilient Treaty United bounce back to winning ways at Finn Harps

TREATY United kept their promotion play-off hopes alive in the SSE Airtricity League First Division thanks to a precious 1-0 victory away to Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Friday night.

Dean George's second half goal proved the difference between the sides as Treaty scored their first league win over Harps this season.

This was a timely victory for Treaty who had suffered defeats to both Longford Town and league pacesetters Galway United in their two most recent league fixtures prior to kick-off in Ballybofey.

The three points has seen Treaty move up to eighth spot in the First Division table, five points off the promotion play-off places.

The second half was barely ninety seconds old when Treaty broke the deadlock. Tommy Barrett's side broke on the counter with Stephen Christopher eating up the ground before feeding wide on the left to George.

The attacker still had plenty work to do to fashion a chance out of the move, but he came into the area before steering past Rory Kelly, the ball squeezing into the bottom corner. Finn Park fell into a stunned silence.

Dean George's strike that has us in the lead at Finn Park. pic.twitter.com/Hc2vCveEcB

— Treaty United FC (@TreatyUnitedFC) August 11, 2023

Five minutes later, the lively Sean O’Donnell might have levelled things up, but after turning in behind Ben O’Riordan, Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers got down to save.

Adam Lennon arrowed off target after a corner broke into his path in the 55th minute with Treaty probing the possibilities of doubling their advantage.

Caoimhin Porter was inches from drawing Harps level on the hour, but his effort was hacked off the goal-line by Mark Walsh after an initial header by Max Hutchison wasn’t fully cleared. Momentarily, the home support threw eager glances the way of assistant referee David Berry. The wide eyes were hopeful, rather than expectant.

Treaty United made three changes to their starting line-up from Monday's game with Galway United for the trip to Donegal. Dean George, Stephen Christopher, Enda Curran and Adam Lennon came into the team with Success Edogun, Scott Kirkland and Darren Nwankwo dropping to the bench.

After George fired tamely wide with a first-timer that was the game’s first shot in anger on 11 minutes, Harps had a big let off eight minutes later.

Christopher spotted the scampering Lennon in acres of space wide on the right. As Lennon charged towards the Town End area, Christopher’s pass had too much punch and the chance was gone by the time the winger got control.

Take a quick look back at the first half, featuring some half chances and a brave save by Corey Chambers.

All to play for in the second half. pic.twitter.com/fuNTxNCGtC

— Treaty United FC (@TreatyUnitedFC) August 11, 2023

Treaty arrived in the Twin Towns on the back of successive League defeats, including a 3-0 loss against Galway United on Monday.

Enda Curran thumped well wide from distance before visiting ‘keeper Chambers saved bravely at the feet of O’Donnell who had been fed by a BJ Banda ball in from the left.

Before many in attendance had settled themselves into their perches for the second half, George put Treaty in front.

As Harps attempted to get back on a level footing, Scott Wara was the next home player denied on the line.

Chambers managed to get enough behind his palms to turn Ryan Flood’s tester from distance over the top as the clock ticked towards the conclusion with the hosts now in a frenetic push.

Harps saw Ellis Farrar return for his first game in six weeks following an injury but, with Treaty content to take the pressure, they couldn’t break the resistance.

Next up for Treaty United is a date with the First Division's bottom side Kerry FC in two weeks' time as the FAI Cup second round fixtures take centre stage next weekend.

FINN HARPS: Rory Kelly; Scott Wara, Daithi McCallion, Matthew Makinson (Ellis Farrar 79), Stephen Doherty (Max Hutchison 55); Caoimhin Porter (Aaron McLaughlin 66), Ryan Rainey, Ryan Flood, Tony McNamee; BJ Banda, Sean O’Donnell.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Jordan Tallon (Darren Nwakwo 79), Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden; Lee Devitt; Adam Lennon (William Arhshaw 79), Conor Barry, Stephen Christopher (Colin Conroy 90), Dean George (Dean O’Shea 71); Enda Curran (Success Edogun 71).

REFEREE: Daniel Murphy.