Des Hope: Grabbed the equaliser against Derry City in Sunday's pre-season friendly at The Brandywell.

After Saturday's lack lustre performance against Tullamore, Athlone made the long trip North to face Premier Division side Derry City at the Brandywell on Sunday afternoon. Ashley Cahill describes the action.

Although the sides last met in the League Cup Final 1999/2000, the game that will always stick in the mind of the Derry faithful is the final game of the 1994/95 season when table toppers Derry needed to beat a struggling Athlone side to win the title. Derry hadn’t anticipated the determination of Athlone on that day and a 1-1 draw saw the league title slip out of their hands and go to Dundalk.

On this occasion however, The Candystripes started the brighter, with Alan Murphy constantly running at the defence in an effort to pry it open. However Des Hope was a rock in the centre of Athlone's defence and blocked Murphy's advances. Derry's attack was also bolstered with darting runs on the left flank from Sean Hargan.

After 20 minutes the home side took the lead when a half cleared Murphy corner found Clive Delaney unmarked inside the area and from 12 yards out the former UCD and West Ham man made no mistake with his finish.

Derry kept the pressure on and only for the goalkeeping heroics of Danny O’Leary might have notched a second before the break.

Athlone had their chances too in the first half with Eric Molloy causing Derry problems on the left wing and tireless battling up front from Adrian Carberry and Mikey McCann. Athlone's midfield was reinforced with John Flanagan providing the much-needed bite it has missed in recent seasons.

Derry's attack continued in the second half with Danny O’Leary making a number of top class saves and Des Hope clearing in the air and on the deck.

The home sides second again resulted from a Murphy corner. This time the ball was knocked out away from goal and as it was chipped over the Town defence, a suspiciously offside Delaney sent a looping header over the advancing O’Leary.

Rather than let their heads drop, Athlone fought back with the spirit and determination a promotion hopeful side needs and they got their just rewards when Mikey McCann beat the off side trap, dribbled into the box and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing David Forde in the Derry goal. Adrian Carberry came close to getting a second, however his shot from distance didn’t have enough lift to beat the Derry keeper.

Athlone went from strength to strength after their opener and the introduction of Shane Brennan and John Guerin gave them the extra energy needed. After sustained pressure Des Hope found himself six yards from the Derry goal with the ball at his feet. And just as calmly as the defender dealt with Derry's advances, he kept a cool head up front and neatly knocked the ball past Forde for a deserved equaliser.

Athlone were firing on all cylinders and nearly snatched victory from a now bewildered Derry when a half volley from Alan Kelly narrowly flew past the wrong side of the post. And so the game ended honours even.

Best for Athlone on the night were Danny O’Leary, Mikey McCann and Des Hope.

Athlone Town: 1.Danny O’Leary 2.Graeme O’Keefe 3.Alan Kelly 4.Tom Silke 5.Des Hope 6.John Flanagan 7.Riyadh Abdelkaker 8.Damien Rushe 9.Adrian Carberry 10.Mikey McCann 11.Eric Molloy. Subs: Shane Brennan for Abdelkaker, John Guerin for Molloy, Anthony Hayes for Carberry and Robbie Shine for Silke. Unused: Tadgh Murphy, Keith Carty.