Published: Wednesday, 11th August, 2010 5:00pm

Improved display is not enough for victory at Limerick

Limerick FC 3 Athlone Town 2

LIMERICK FC kept their promotion hopes very much alive after coming from behind to record a win - albeit of the nervous variety - over battling Athlone Town at Jackman Park on Friday evening.

Stephen O'Flynn, who recently returned to Shannonside following a loan spell with Northampton Town, helped seal the victory with two second half strikes at the Lower Carey's Road venue.

The visitors appeared to be on track to put a dent in Limerick's promotion aspirations and record a rare enough win in the Treaty city after edging ahead in the 23rd minute courtesy of a close range strike from Jason Hughes.

Hughes - who is on loan from Limerick until the end of the season - rifled home from the edge of the six-yard box following an incisive run from Shane Fitzgerald inside the left of the area.

Athlone came into the game without a win in seven league outings, but with several new signings made by Brendan Place in recent weeks, their previous two matches had ended in draws, including against promotion contenders Waterford Utd at Lissywoollen.

Place was again busy in the transfer market in the lead-up to this game, and gave a debut to defender Dave Breen, partnered Paddy Collins at the back in the absence of the injured Des Hope.

However, Declan O'Brien's long-awaited debut had to be put on hold once again.

Although the striker's international clearance finally arrived during the week, O'Brien had personal commitments in the shape of a wedding, so Robbie Farrell, who missed several months through a stomach injury, returned to the squad on the substitutes bench.

Gordon Watson - who has been a regular choice up front for Brendan Place - also sustained a terrible knee injury during training, and could miss the rest of the season.

Before Hughes' goal for Athlone, Limerick had dominated in terms of chances created, with Paddy Collins denying John Tierney with a well-timed tackle inside the area inside the opening three minutes.

Town 'keeper Michael Schlingerman then had to punch the ball off O'Flynn's head as the Limerick striker appeared poised to head home a John Sullivan cross.

Hughes' goal lifted Athlone however, and two minutes after that strike Fitzgerald saw his long range effort headed clear by Dave Rogers.

At the other end, Schlingerman dived smartly to his left to keep out a clever Sullivan flick from a Bobby Ryan cross, while Austin Kelly dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area on the stroke of half-time as Athlone pressed to double their advantage.

Former Arsenal youth Shane Tracy drilled a low cross inside the six yard box two minutes after the interval which somehow managed to evade Tierney, Schlingerman, Collins and Eoghan O'Shea.

Skelly - Athlone's top scorer this season - threatened in reply, while O'Flynn volleyed a second effort well over as Pat Scully's side upped the tempo in search of an equaliser.

That equalising goal finally arrived in the 57th minute when Tracy floated in a cross which Limerick captain Pat Purcell headed off the post - O'Flynn was quickest to react and slammed home the rebound.

Shane Clarke then showed great skill to leave two Athlone defenders for dead on the left but his low shot was well saved by Schlingerman at the near post.

Athlone had an opportunity to edge back in front shortly after that incident when a Niall Scullian cross was allowed drift across the Limerick six-yard box.

The hosts survived that scare however, and when Clarke passed to O'Flynn, his clever back-heel allowed O'Sullivan enough time and space to bury home a superb effort from just outside the box in the 68th minute.

However, that lead was shortlived as two minutes later Skelly headed home a Denis Moran corner with the Limerick defence once again caught napping. It was Skelly's seventh league strike of the season

Limerick edged back in front eleven minutes from time when O'Flynn blasted home a Sean Kelly cross from close range following a fine passage of play from the home team.

The Shannonsiders had to sweat for all three points in the closing minutes as Athlone pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Crosses from Moran and David Breen were allowed drift dangerously across the penalty area, but unfortunately for Athlone, nobody was in position to apply the finishing touch.

Friday's win lifted Limerick to third spot in the table, seven points behind table-toppers Derry City, while Athlone remain third from bottom and badly in need for a couple of wins. Next up for Athlone, who will be frustrated to gain little reward from a very decent away performance here, is an away trip to bottom side Salthill Devon.

Limerick FC: David Ryan; Jeffrey Judge, Sean Kelly, Dave Rogers, Pat Purcell, Thomas Heary, Bobby Ryan, John Sullivan, Stephen O'Flynn, John Tierney, Shane Tracey. Subs: Shane Clarke for Tierney (57 mins), Peter White for Heary (69), Timmy Kiely for Tracey (87).

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Wayne Colbert, Eoghan O'Shea, Paddy Collins, Dave Breen, Denis Moran, Niall Scullion, Ryan McEvoy, Jason Hughes, Austin Skelly, Shane Fitzgerald. Subs: Richie O'Hanlon for Moran (83 mins), Robbie Farrell for Fitzgerald (87).

Referee: S Templeman.

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