A headed goal from central defender Brian McCarthy made it two wins from two for Athlone to keep them second in the table.

 

It was an eventful night for McCarthy whose mistake almost gifted Mervue the lead on 48 minutes, but skipper Chris Bennion spared the blushes of his team-mate by saving well one-on-one from Rory Gaffney.

 

McCarthy made amends within three minutes with the only goal of the game when heading home midfielder Stephen Caffrey’s corner.

 

Town subsequently twice hit a post, from Austin Skelly‘s 71st minute header and then a Richie O’Hanlon shot on 91 minutes.

 

A minute later, Caffrey was sent off following an off the ball incident.