We had to win today or go home and forget about it - Eoin Slevin

Donegal Town staged a dramatic comeback to overcome promotion rivals Gweedore Celtic in a high quality encounter in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division 1 at the Hospital Field on Sunday.

Substitute David Graham was the hometown hero with his winner coming on the stroke of time, a quality finish worthy of the occasion.

The game was one of action all the way with penalties, an own goal, plenty of efforts on targets and the odd mistake thrown in.

Donegal Town had the greater percentage of possession and posed the biggest threat throughout but they found themselves 2-0 down at the break courtesy of one very well worked goal from Ryan Greene and a gift wrapped second for veteran Tomas Diver.

But once they got the breakthrough early in the second half with a goal from captain Eoin Slevin, they pushed and pushed and finally got their rewards.

"That's what we spoke about because we were the better team in that first half. The two goals, quickfire goals from Gweedore, who are always dangerous. We went in at the break and as Paul McHugh likes to say, the two goal lead is the toughest lead to keep,” said Slevin, speaking afterwards.

"We went in and we said, look, nothing to lose here. We have to go out here, and thankfully we got that first goal and we just kicked on.

"I think I owe the man who got the winner a few pints now because he saved my blushes after missing that penalty. I thought that was it but we got there in the end, thank God.”

The goals came after the Donegal Town management made a quadruple substitution on 52 minutes and Slevin agreed that the new blood made a huge difference to their challenge.

"I thought every single one of them made a difference. And you always say it's a squad game and we really need those subs to come on and lift you, and that's exactly what they did.

Sub 'keeper Killian Faulkner takes control of a Gweedore cross Picture: Thomas Gallagher

One of those substitutes was Killian Faulkner, who was forced to take the goalkeeping jersey after Paddy Kelly was injured.

"Killian is the great at the GAA and he put them under pressure with his clearances.  He was picking our wingers out from the goal kick and it was huge. He hasn't played much in goal since underage but he was brilliant in there. And he might have to keep those gloves for another couple of weeks.”

Another of the subs, David Graham, proved to be the matchwinner. “David has struggled with injuries for the past while but he is a quality footballer. We are so lucky to have him back and as I say, I owe him a few pints tonight after sparing my blushes.”

Donegal Town get better of Gweedore Celtic in entertaining game at Hospital Field

The home side come from 2-0 down at half-time to deservedly take the points in a high octane encounter

The win leaves Donegal Town still in fourth place in the table, but they have not given up on the promotion race.

"We had a couple of bad results in the past couple of games. We said today we win this and we have still something to play for, or we go home and forget about it.

"We are glad now. It is not in our hands, but we have done our bit today and we just need to win every game that comes and see where we are at the end of the season," said Slevin.