Published: Wednesday, 21st April, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone Town record third successive scoreless draw

Finn Harps 0 Athlone Town 0

ATHLONE Town recorded a third straight scoreless draw in the First Division after an even contest at Ballybofey last Saturday.

Going into the game - Athlone's seventh of the campaign - the Town had conceded only twice in the previous six outings, while themselves netting just a mere three times.

Finn Harps had the same number of points as Athlone beforehand, so perhaps a draw was the inevitable outcome, as neither side really did enough to warrant victory during what was often an unentertaining affair.

Athlone have certainly made themselves a far tougher nut to crack this season, and some of their defending so far this term has been very admirable. However, on the other hand, their impotency in front of goal has to be a worry at this point.

Regular strike pairing Robbie Farrell and Austin Skelly certainly bring a fair share to the overall team effort, but neither is a recognised prolific goalscorer, while a large bulk of Skelly's good work is done in deep positions.

Indeed, it was substitute striker Noel McGee who looked Athlone's most likely scorer on the night following his second-half introduction for Farrell, and McGee, last season's top scorer, would have been celebrating in the 77th minute had home 'keeper Liam Mailey not made an outstanding save. However, it would have unjust on the home side if Athlone had nicked all three points, especially considering their dominance during the opening 20 minutes or so.

In the early stages, Athlone didn't look a side who have lost just once this season, while the home side looked very well organised and took the game to the visitors.

Twice Harps went close to breaking the deadlock early on, with chances falling to Thomas Bonner and then Johnny Lafferty.

On 13 minutes, Gary Whoriskey and Lafferty combined down the left touchline and when the ball arrived in the box, Chris Bennion had to be alert to make a fine instinctive save from Bonner.

Seconds later, James Doherty whipped over a fine cross from the right but Lafferty - back in the side after a bout of illness - flicked the ball past Bennion's post. Right winger Stephen McLaughlin, who caused all sorts of problems for Athlone's beleaguered left-back Eoghan O'Shea, went closer than anyone to opening the scoring when on 20 minutes, he broke inside onto his favoured left foot only to see his effort superbly pushed around the post by the dive of 'keeper Chris Bennion, who has already made an outstanding contribution to Athlone's newly resilient defence.

In contrast to Harps' lively attacking play, Athlone offered little threat in the first half.

Their best opening fell to striker Robbie Farrell midway through the half but his toe-poke towards goal was pushed wide by the alert Liam Mailey.

Athlone were much better in the second half and tightened things up considerably at the back, where the Harps front pairing of Kevin McHugh and Lafferty were kept noticeably quieter.

Early in the half, Robbie Benson embarked on a mazy solo-run which resulted in him getting hacked down on the edge of the area by Packie Mailey, who was booked, but the resulting free kick amounted to nothing.

Austin Skelly also shot harmlessly over the Harps' crossbar as Athlone got more into it. Athlone were dealt a blow when towering defender Brian McCarthy was forced off injured on the hour mark.

His departure meant a tactical reshuffle by Brendan Place, who moved O'Shea into the heart of defence alongside the outstanding Des Hope.

Kevin Williamson dropped back to left-full, with substitute Niall Scullion coming into the midfield.

The home did enjoy a fair amount of possession in that second half but it was Athlone who came closest to a winner.

Substitute Noel McGee, with just 12 minutes left, was set up in front of goal by Skelly, but Harps 'keeper Liam Mailey dived bravely at his feet to deny the Athlone man.

Tempers then flared somewhat towards the end when Lafferty was booked for a lunge on O'Shea.

Athlone's experienced midfielder Stephen Caffrey, one of the Town's best performers in an effort hard on team ethic, was also yellow-carded for his involvement in the aftermath. Both teams had to be content with a point in the end, and while Athlone have now drawn four from seven in the league, this was Harps' first draw of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Athlone exited the League Cup at the second hurdle last Tuesday night week, going down 1-0 to Premier Division UCD at Belfield.

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; James Doherty, Gary Whoriskey, Matthew Crossan, Packie Mailey, Mark Forker, Stephen McLaughlin, Thomas Bonner, Johnny Lafferty, Kevin McHugh, Marc Brolly. Subs: Michael Funston for Forker (70 mins), Oisin McMenamin for McLaughlin (89).

Athlone Town: Chris Bennion; Mark Nolan, Eoghan O'Shea, Des Hope, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Caffrey, Richie O'Hanlon, Robbie Benson, Robbie Farrell, Austin Skelly, Kevin Williamson. Subs: Niall Scullion for McCarthy (60 mins), Noel McGee for Farrell (64), Stephen Place for Skelly (84).

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).