Lee Devitt spot on as Treaty United see off Athlone in dramatic First Division clash

TREATY United bolstered their play-off prospects in the SSE Airtricity League First Division thanks a dramatic 3-2 victory over Athlone Town at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Lee Devitt’s penalty goal 60 seconds from time proved decisive as Treaty recorded their second win from three league games.

Crucially, Tommy Barret’s men hold on to fifth place in the First Division table and are now six points clear of sixth-placed Finn Harps.

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The hosts almost fell behind three minutes in. Athlone's Jason Folarin Oyenuga collected Billy Gillmore’s long ball and fired his shot narrowly over the crossbar from inside the box.

Treaty took the lead two minutes later. Patrick Ferry connected with Mark Byrne’s right-wing cross and headed home his third goal since his arrival mid-season.

The hosts survived a scare on 12 minutes. Dylan Hand’s downward header hit the crossbar after he latched onto Gilmore’s free-kick.

Treaty could’ve doubled their advantage 25 minutes later. Lee Devitt teed up Byrne who fired over the crossbar from six yards out.

Athlone pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. Dean Williams converted a spot kick after there was adjudged to be a handball by Treaty inside the box.

The hosts were awarded a penalty of their own on 53 minutes. Mark Byrne was brought down by Lee Axworthy Duggan inside the box; Ferry hit the crossbar from the resultant spot kick.

Treaty fell behind on the hour mark. Williams teed up Jason Folarin Oyenuga who calmly fired low to the net from inside the penalty area.

Tommy Barret’s men restored parity on 69 minutes. Mark Byrne controlled Colin Conroy’s pass impressively inside the box before finding the corner of the net.

Treaty almost took the lead 60 second later. Devitt’s powerful 20-yard free-kick went narrowly wide.

Treaty were awarded a second penalty 60 seconds from time after Ferry was brought down in the box by Dylan Hand.

Lee Devitt converted the spot kick for his 15th goal of the season resulting in a precious victory for the hosts.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Christopher Horgan (Nikodem Kozlowski 85), Eoin Martin, Richkov Boevi (Robbie Lynch 46), Ben Lynch; Lee Devitt, Mark Murphy (Ben Lee 62), Steven Healy (Colin Conroy 62), Karl O’Sullivan; Mark Byrne (Roy Lawlor 76), Patrick Ferry.

Athlone Town: Lee Axworthy Duggan; Oisin Duffy (Adam Lennon 62), Noe Baba, Reece Webb, Dylan Hand; Billy Gilmore, Daniel McKenna (Ben Feeney 82), Aderinsola Abdul-Lateef Adewale; Dean Williams (Martin Scally 82), Gideon Tetteh (Kelende Abdine Jr Thiam 74), Jason Folarin Oyenuga.

Referee: Mark Houlihan