Athlone Town 1 Waterford FC 1
Athlone Town came from behind to secure a share of the spoils in the first leg of the First Division playoff semi final with Waterford FC at Lisseywollen.
There was very little between the sides in the opening 45 minutes with Frantz Pierrot having a great chance for the home side after 12 minutes when he got on the end of a Valeri Dolia cross but his downward header bounced up and over the bar.
Ronan Coughlan got on the end of a Connor Parsons corner after 21 minutes but couldn’t direct his shot towards the target.
The Blues hit the front on 52 minutes when Ryan Burkes quick free throw found Coughlan who turned and fired high to the net from a tight angle.
He should have had a second 3 minutes later when he received a great ball from Romeo Akachukwu but his shot came back off the upright.
Pierrot levelled things 12 minutes from time when he picked up a loose clearance and he buried his shot to the bottom corner.
Waterford had a number of penalty shouts waved away and Dean McMenamy had a great chance to secure the win in injury time but Enda Minogue spread himself to deny the Blues’ substitute.
