A late Princewill Diala penalty secured Salthill Devon's semi-final spot in a do-or-die battle with St Francis at NFP Park on Saturday afternoon.
Greg Cunningham's side entered the weekend's final group fixture knowing only victory would be enough to guarantee top spot and a place in the semi-final. Due to their superior goal difference, St Francis only need a point to secure first place.
Salthill Devon flew out the traps at a raucous NFP Park. After a mazy run down the right-flank from Al-Amin Obasa, his delivery found Ronan Kerin to head his side into the lead after 10 minutes.
Dylan Stack grabbed the equaliser just before half-time to set-up a thrilling second-half in the race for FAI National League semi-final places.
Both sides went toe-to-toe after the interval. But St Francis were presented with a golden opportunity to take all three points when the referee pointed to the spot in the 85th minute. Step forward Salthill Devon 'keeper Sam Begley to deny the St Francis winner as he pushed the ball onto the post to keep it 1-1.
The drama did not end there. Right at the death the referee pointed to the spot once more, this time the opportunity fell to Diala of Salthill Devon to win the game.
He made no mistake as he sent the St Francis goalie the wrong way to rifle his spot kick home and send NFP Park into raptures.
Salthill Devon are Group 2 winners and now look ahead to the semi-finals later this month.
