Athlone Town must have utilised their quotient of good fortune with a 91st minute equaliser in St Colman's Park on Saturday, because luck definitely deserted the Midlanders in an enthralling FAI cup third round replay in St Mel's Park last night.

Athlone were thwarted by a catalogue of breath-taking John Donegan stops, miraculous goal-line clearances and of course the woodwork in a one-sided second half.

Cobh, having survived a constant siege, broke away for a 74th minute goal which earned them an FAI Cup quarter-final place.

The decisive score came when Willie Bruton skipped past Gino Brazil and slotted the ball under home keeper, Gary Connaughton. Former Manchester United apprentice Eric Molloy had earlier swung in an inch-perfect cross which was met by Alan Kelly, but Cobh defender Willie Byrne somehow cleared the midfielder's goal-bound effort to safety.

On 62 minutes Molloy, a constant menace throughout, was denied by Donegan who produced a fine parry. As the ball ran loose John Murphy somehow contrived to block Andy Myler's point-blank effort and then denied Alan McNevin from close range.

After Bruton's intervention Athlone renewed their onslaught and Cobh led a charmed existence in an exciting final quarter hour.

ATHLONE: Connaughton, Costello, O'Brien, Brazil O'Driscoll, Connolly, Kelly, Harte, Myler, McNevin, Molloy. Subs: Clarke for Harte (79 mins), Carberry for Myler (84 mins).

COBH RAMBLERS: Donegan, Hughes, Byrne, Murphy, Wolfe, Freeney, Clifford, Cregoe, Golden, Coughlan, Bruton. Subs: Dunne for Cregoe (63 mins), McGregor for Bruton (90 mins).