Tommy Barrett’s men have suffered back to back three-goal defeats, having lost at home to Galway United a week before.
Treaty United failed to return to form as they lost 3-0 to ninth place Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division at the Markets Field on Friday night.
Tommy Barrett’s men have suffered back to back three-goal defeats, having lost at home to Galway United a week before.
A loss for Athlone means that the Limerick side are still very much in with a chance of making the playoff places, which they sit just a point outside.
It is a huge result for Harps, who are still ninth, but now just two points behind Treaty, three off the playoffs themselves. As it stands, the entire table could be shuffled in a single game week.
The men from Donegal recorded their largest victory of the season, as Ryan Flood got on the scoresheet twice, before Aaron McLaughlin added the third late on.
Referee Paul Norton showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot after just ten minutes, when Treaty youngster Darren Nwankwo leaned into Sean O’Donnell in the area. Harps number seven Flood stepped up and buried the penalty to the left of Shane Hallahan to make it 1-0.
Twenty five minutes later Flood found the net again, this time the American fired home a spectacular free-kick from the edge of the box. Hallahan got a hand to the strike, but it was too pure to keep out of the net. The Donegal side lead 2-0 at the break.
The game didn’t see another goal until right at the end of added time, when Harps caught the Shannonsiders on the counter. McLaughlin received the ball on the half way line and spun in behind with a fantastic turn. He managed to fend off pressure from Nwankwo and slotted calmly into the bottom corner of Hallahan’s net.
Three points for Harps to go with their three goals. Treaty need to find their form if they are to have a hance at promotion this season.
Next up for Barrett’s side is a trip to Waterford this Friday, who sit second in the table.