FINN HARPS caused a major upset in the FAI Cup when they emphatically defeated Athlone Town in a second round replay at St Mel's Park last night.

The Donegal side took an early lead through Damian Dunleavy after a bad mistake by goalkeeper Shane Curran. Athlone came into the game after that goal, but found Harps goalkeeper John Walsh in superb form. Walsh denied Warren Parkes on several occasions.

Harps made it two midway through the second half when John Gerard McGettigan scored directly from a free-kick from the edge of the Athlone penalty area. Athlone were given some hope in the 77th minute when Tommy Gaynor pulled the goal back, but Jonathan Speake restored the visitors two-goal cushion four minutes from time.

Athlone's night of misery was complete when Jonathan Minnock, son of former Athlone player John, scored his side's fourth goal right at the finish.

Vinnie Jones has been fined £2,000 for his newspaper attack on Ruud Gullit. It is the fifth large fine Wimbledon's transfer-seeking midfielder has been hit with in the past three years. Jones criticised the Dutchman, claiming he had conned the referee into sending him off for the 12th time of his career on St Stephen's Day.