ATHLONE TOWN Under-21's consolidated their qualifying spot in the eircom Under-21 League Mid-West Division with a 3 - 1 win away to Mullingar Athletic on Monday evening.

Istvan Lakatos gave Athlone the lead just before the break. The home defence failed to fully clear an Anthony Hayes free-kick, and when the ball came to the Hungarian, he crashed the ball off the underside of the bar and to the back of the net from the edge of the box.

Athletic were back on level terms just five minutes into the second half. A kick-out from the Mullingar 'keeper eventually found it's way to the edge of the Athlone box, with Robbie Hamm's last ditch ricocheting against the attacker and past his own 'keeper Lee Gaffey.

After creating a multitude of chances in the second half, Athlone eventually regained the lead just after the hour mark. Lakatos found himself in acres of space 30 yards from goal, and let fly with a shot that left the Mullingar 'keeper with no chance.

Town make sure of the three points on 74 minutes when Adrian Carberry did well down the right, before squeezing the ball in at the 'keeper's near post.

In truth, Athlone could have had a bagful in the second half. However, the important part was getting the three points which pulls them away from Longford Town in fifth spot, and leaves them just three points behind third placed Galway United with a game in hand over the Westerners.

Town are back in action this weekend when they welcome Mayo League to Saint Mel's Park.

ATHLONE TOWN: Lee Gaffey, Robbie Hamm, Keith O'Reilly, Declan Fallon, Brian McCarthy, Anthony Hayes, Dave O'Brien, Carmine Russo, Adrian Carberry, Istvan Lakatos, Alan Kelly. SUBS: Serge Bakayoko for Carberry (80), Craig Tone for O'Brien (82), John McCrossan for O'Reilly (82).

REFEREE: John McLoughlin