Damien O'Reilly rifled home a Shane Browne cross from the left to give Devon the lead in first half stoppage time.

Polish midfielder Marcin Marienek doubled Devon's lead nine minutes into the second half when his cross appeared to deceive Chris Bennion and loop into the net beyond the Athlone keeper.

Skelly began Athlone's revival six minutes later when left unattended in the box to shoot home from fellow half-time substitute Niall Scullion's cross.

Once again Skelly was left unmarked 12 minutes from time as he was picked out by Stephen Caffrey's corner to equalise from close range.