Cosmos win in United Park

Navan Cosmos worked hard for three precious North East Football League points tonight at United Park against Boyne Harps with a 49th minute Gary O'Dowd goal securing the 1-0 victory.

Cosmos were under early pressure and had goalkeeper Conor Gilsenan to thank for keeping it scoreless with a cuple of fine saves from Boyne's Rob Cashman - the first an effort from point-blank range in the second minute.

Boyne continued to dictae the exchanges as Cosmos struggled for some sort of fluency and Cashman had a couple of half chances midway through the half, but it remained scoreless.

William Woods tried his luck from about 25 metres for Boyne, but Gilsenan wasn't extended although he had to advance to block a shot from the same player after 32 minutes.

Woods continued to cause problems and a snap shot produced a finger-tip save for a corner from which Gilsenan then saved well from an Anto McGuinness header.

Cosmos went through the opening 45 minutes without even managing a shot on target, but four minutes into the second-half they were in front with what was their first real chance.

Colm Carney won a free on the edge of the Boyne area, Conor Walsh brought a good save out of Keith McCarthy for a corner and when the ball was floated over Gary O'Dowd finished.

Boyne pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but Cosmos stood strong with some solid defending from the back four of Paul Delaney, O'Dowd, Shaun Doyle and Ben Newe.

Cosmos created a couple of late chances with Walsh going close as the fog descened on the stadium and Boyne also had claims for a penalty in the last minute waved away by referee Reuben McManus.

A break by Delaney in the 91st minute created an opening for substitute Ciaran Rogers, but Boyne scrambled clear for a corner - O'Dowd's header was saved on this occasion.

Boyne Harps - Keith McCarthy; Darren McCann, James Traynor, Manny Smith, Anto McGuinness, Jonathan Deegan, Bernard Osbourne, Danny Coyle, William Woods, Ryan Connor, Rob Cashman. Subs - Stephen Campbell for Osbourne 26 mins, Rory Taaaffe for Cashman 65m, Richard Gibney for Connor 75m.

Navan Cosmos - Conor Gilsenan; Paul Delaney, Ben Newe, Gary O'Dowd, Shaun Doyle, Alan Murphy, Donal Callan, Jack Murray, Cillien Corcoran, Conor Walsh, Colm Carney. Subs - James Boland for Corcoran 40 mins, Ciaran Rogers for Carney 77m, Conor McManus for Walsh 86m

Referee - Reuben McManus (Louth Branch).