Goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran proved Bray's shootout hero as the Seagulls soared back from 2-0 down to win a thrilling First Division play-off final at Dalymount Park.
With penalties needed to separate the sides after extra-time, Corcoran saved from Aaron Connolly and Amardo Oakley from 12 yards as Shane Griffin, Darren Craven, Cristian Magerusan and John O'Sullivan scored all four of Bray’s spot kicks to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Bray now meet FAI Cup finalists Drogheda United in the promotion/relegation play-off at Richmond Park on 16 November.
Though Bray had beaten Athlone in three of their games in the regular season, it was the midlanders who began much the better here, deserving their 11th minute lead.
A corner came back to Kyle Robinson whose second delivery was met by Dean Ebbe to glance a header home for his 17th goal of the season.
Dominant Town then extended their lead on 24 minutes.
Corcoran failed to gather Robinson’s corner allowing centre-back German Fuentes-Rodriguez to loop his header to the net.
Bray didn’t threaten until the 39th minute, Griffin just not able to apply the crucial touch at the back post following a fine solo run and cross from Magerusan.
Bray brought on Ben Feeney from the restart as they went two up top in chasing the game.
And the 21-year-old striker planted a header wide before Wanderers finally got right back into it on 63 minutes when winger O’Sullivan’s drive was deflected in off the underside of the crossbar by defender Dylan Hand for an own goal.
The real drama then arrived in the second minute of added time as Bray levelled the tie.
Right-back Jamie Duggan’s floated cross was met by Cole Omorehiomwan who out-jumped the Town defence to score with a well-placed downward header.
The sides swapped big chances in the first period of extra-time.
Magerusan, twice, and O’Sullivan were thwarted by Town keeper Enda Minogue either side of Shane Forbes shooting weakly at Corcoran.
The Bray keeper then made a terrific save early in the second period to deny Agbo Babatunde before excelling further in the shootout.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Cole Omorehiomwan, Evan Osam (Conor Knight 15; Alain Kizenga 107)); Harry Groome (Billy O’Neill 79), Darren Craven; Guillermo Almirall (Ben Feeney h-t), Shane Griffin, John O’Sullivan; Cristian Magerusan.
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Amardo Oakley, German Fuentes-Rodroguez, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre; Kyle Robinson (Shane Forbes 69), Daniel McKenna, Aaron Connolly, Gideon Tetteh (Jamar Campion-Hinds 84); Leo Gaxha (Agbo Babatunde 69); Dean Ebbe (Peter McGregor 79).
Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).
Attendance: 1,872.
