Cork City keep in touch with leaders thanks to Mark O’Sullivan’s header

Cork City 1 (O'Sullivan 58), Athlone Town 0 Cork City remain two points behind leaders Dundalk after they were forced to work for victory at home to Athlone Town last night, thanks to a Mark O'Sullivan header in the second half.

Just before half-time, though, City manufactured a chance of real substance as captain John Dunleavy sent over a good cross from the right and that was met by Garry Buckley only for the ball to cannon back off the crossbar.

At half-time, home manager John Caulfield changed to 4-4-2 and he was rewarded in the 58th minute. Brian Lenihan found O’Sullivan with a lovely lofted ball from the right and the striker, despite being 15 yards from goal, was able to loop a perfectly-placed header beyond Paul Skinner’s reach.

With their tails up, City were now in control and O’Sullivan almost made it 2-0 straightaway only for Skinner to save while Barry Clancy did well to clear off the line after the goalkeeper got a hand to a Lehane effort.

McNulty did still have to be alert to deny Athlone sub Ian Sweeney with a fine save, and when Athlone captain Alan Byrne was sent off for a second booking Cork looked safe. Declan Brennan looked to have given Athlone a point when his backheel beat McNulty but Dunleavy cleared to safety. CORK CITY: McNulty; Dunleavy, Murray, D Dennehy; Davoren (Kavanagh 90); G Morrissey, Healy (O’Leary 74); Lenihan, Buckley, Kearney (Lehane half-time); O’Sullivan. ATHLONE TOWN: Skinner; Quigley, Byrne, Brennan, Clancy; Dillon, Hughes; Brennan, Rusk (Harney 86), Marks (Sweeney 64); Gorman. Referee: P Tuite (Dublin). Attendance: 2,875.