Treaty United stunned at the death by 10-man Wexford

MIKIE Rowe’s last-gasp strike proved decisive as 10-man Wexford FC inflicted an unlikely 1-0 defeat on Treaty United in their SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Some 1,436 people were in attendance at the Garryowen venue and the majority were left stunned deep into injury time when Rowe popped up with the match-winning goal.

Treaty United dominated the attacking exchanges over the 90 minutes, creating an avalanche of chances. Ultimately, however, they couldn’t make the breakthrough and paid a heavy price with Wexford striking late to grab the three league points.

Treaty’s three-match unbeaten streak has ended and they’ve now dropped to fourth place in the First Division table as a result of their second defeat of the campaign.

Tommy Barrett's charges are six points adrift of table toppers Dundalk.

Treaty could’ve scored as early as the third minute. Lee Devitt connected with Trpimir Vrljicak’s left-wing cross but saw his effort blocked by Robbie McCourt inside the box.

On 25 minutes, it was goalkeeper Paul Martin who came to Wexford’s rescue with a superb fingertip save to keep out Vrljicak’s 20-yard curling shot.

Vrljicak was again to the fore as Treaty threatened again on 37 minutes. This time the winger was denied from a tight angle after collecting Evan O’Connor’s perfectly-weighted pass.

Wexford’s first chance arrived five minutes later. Ryan Kelly’s effort from inside the box was deflected out for a corner following a marauding run.

The visitors showed more urgency after the restart and could’ve taken the lead five minutes into the second half.

Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers dived low to his left to deny a powerful 30-yard shot from Harnett.

Sixty seconds later, O’Sullivan was the protagonist as Treaty almost scored. The midfielder forced a save from Martin following a penetrative surging run.

O’Sullivan was involved again as Treaty threatened again on 56 minutes. He latched onto Vrljicak’s cross but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Treaty captain Lee Devitt was denied again on 70 minutes. Lee J Lynch slipped the Treaty captain in, but his close-range effort was kept out by Martin.

Two minutes later, Treaty wasted another opportunity, Mark Byrne collected Evan O’Connor’s right-wing cross but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Wexford were reduced to 10 men six minutes from time. Zayd Abada was shown a second yellow card after fouling Evan O’Connor.

Two minutes later, Lee Devitt connected with Richkov Boevi’s left-wing cross, the midfielder’s header was parried by Martin but the Wexford shotstopper recovered with the second attempt.

Depp in added time, the Treaty defence failed to clear a long ball which Mikie Rowe collected, his initial effort crashed off the post, but he fired the rebound beyond Chambers and into the net.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Eoin Martin, Richkov Boevi; Colin Conroy (Connor Wilson 77) Ben Lynch (Lee J Lynch 58); Karl O’Sullivan (Joe Hanson 82), Lee Devitt, Trpimir Vrljicak (Nikodem Kozlowski 82); Yoyo Mahdy (Mark Byrne 58).

Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Josh Lyons, Dean Larkin, Robbie McCourt, James Crawford; Kaylem Hartnett, Zayd Abada, Ryan Kelly (Filip Wasilewski 87) Mikie Rowe, Darragh Levingston, Calum Flynn (Mark Imiren 75).

Referee: Alan Franklin