Playoff heartbreak for Athlone Town after penalty shoot-out defeat in Dalymount
Athlone Town's bid to return to the Premier Division of the League of Ireland for the first time in a decade ended in heartbreaking fashion with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bray Wanderers in the First Division Playoff final at Dalymount Park this evening (Saturday).
For the majority of this encounter Athlone looked the more likely to progress to the promotion playoff decider against Drogheda United in a fortnight's time.
The Town started brightly and raced into an early lead, courtesy of a deft header from striker Dean Ebbe, after just 12 minutes.
El Salvador international German Fuentes then doubled Athlone's advantage less than 10 minutes later, putting the Midlanders in a commanding position with less than a quarter of the game gone.
In the second half Bray improved significantly, however, and pulled one back through a Dylan Hand own goal after 62 minutes.
Although the Wicklow side was on top in the latter stages of normal time, Athlone appeared likely to see it out until Cole Omorehiomwan rose high to head home a dramatic equaliser for Bray two minutes into injury time.
The extra time period was extremely open and Athlone will look back with regret on a missing handful of glorious chances to retake the lead before the 120 minutes were up.
It wasn't to be, and in the shootout Aaron Connolly and Amardo Oakley both missed spot kicks for Athlone, while Bray were flawless from 12 yards to win 4-2 on penalties.
Bray will now play Drogheda in Richmond Park on November 16, with the winner of that game playing in the Premier Division next season.
Before then, Drogheda will face Derry City in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium next Sunday, November 10.