The win keeps them at the top of the table although Lagan Harps have five games in hand. They were in front inside five minutes and apart from a brief period early in the second half, always held the upper hand.

The opening goal came after good work by Darren Kelly who found Raymie McGrory and his pinpoint cross was headed home by the veteran of the side Aaron Slevin.

Castlefin had a couple of half-chances while Donegal almost went further ahead when Emmet White mistimed his clearance and it cannoned off the crossbar.

Ronan Tourish and Liam Martin were wide at their respective ends while Anthony White had probably Castlefin's best chance in the opening half but he mishit after a great cross by Cormac O'Brien. JP Byrne and Raymie McGrory went close while Simon McGlinchey was off target with a snap shot.

The second goal arrived four minutes from the break and was very well constructed with Liam Martin picking up a clearance and putting Stevie Curneen up the left with a lovely through ball.

He beat the defence and crossed for the alert Aaron Slevin to sidefoot home from close range. Minutes later Slevin almost completed his hat-trick but was denied by the slightest of deflections for a corner.

There were plenty of chances early in the second half with Conor 'Toasty' McMonagle's cross headed over by Liam Martin and Ronan Tourish having an effort taken off the line at the other end.

Donegal Town went 3-0 ahead on 60 minutes when JP Byrne's challenge at a corner saw the ball bobble in the Castlefin goalmouth and Stevie Curneen benefited to bundle home.

Castlefin got back in the game five minutes later when Damien Doherty invited a challenge from Darren Kelly just inside the area and referee Mick Lagan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Emmet White made no mistake to leave the game in the melting pot.

It could have been closer when Emmett White, now pushed forward, got in behind the Donegal Town defence but Declan McCafferty denied him with a good save.

Raymie McGrory was just too high with a header and Liam Martin almost made contact with an open goal for the taking.

The insurance goal arrived with three minutes left on the clock and it was worth the wait as substitute Oisin McGinty broke through the Castlefin defence with a mazy run and his cross found Benny Byrne, who fired home from close range.

Donegal Town: Dermot McCafferty, Darren Kelly(Ryan Earley 75), Pauric Harvey, Danny McGarrigle, JP Byrne, Conor McMonagle (Sean Boyle 88), Benny Byrne, Raymie McGrory, Liam Martin, Stevie Curneen (Oisin McGinty 80), Aaron Slevin.

Castlefin Celtic: Anthony Sweeney, Damien McGlinchey (Troy McCormick 66), Damien Doherty, Emmett White, Ciaran Brennan, Danny McEnaney, Cormac O'Brien, Simon McGlinchey, Ronan Tourish (Michael Dunnion 77, Kevin White (Dara Crossan 66), Anthony White.

Referee: Mick Lagan.

Man of the match
The award goes to Aaron Slevin, who apart from scoring the first two goals, moved to anchor the Donegal Town midfield when they were coming under pressure in the second half. The home side also had good performances from Benny Byrne, Raymie McGrory and Conor McMonagle, while Emmet White and Cormac O'Brien were prominent for Castlefin.

Turning Point
The second Donegal Town goal, four minutes from the break gave the home side a cushion. It was also the goal of the game, very well created and finished in style by Slevin.

Referee Watch
Referee Mick Lagan had a very good game although, in truth, it was an easy game to referee as both sides were intent on playing football. When that happens it makes the referee's job much easier.

Reaction
Aaron Slevin
"It was a good result but we made hard work of it in the second half," said man of the match Aaron Slevin.

The Donegal Town men are ahead of Lagan Harps who have games in hand, but Slevin is happy with that. "We would rather have the points in the bag, so it is up to them now.

"We have had a good year with the same core of players and we have trained well."

When asked about his veteran status now at the club, Aaron. "I never thought I'd say that but the young fellows can do the running now."

Marty Byrne
"It's all to fight for yet. Lagan got a lot of points on the board before Christmas. They have a lot of games to play and a lot of them away from home. They have lost a few lads to Kildrum but they are still in the driving seat," said Marty Byrne, the Donegal Town manager.

"We have five games left and if we could get 15 points we would be happy. From today promotion is in our own hands. We also have to play Lagan here at the Hospital Field.

"Castlefin are a lovely team to play against. They get the ball down and knock it about. In the first 20 minutes of the second half they had a real go," said Byrne.

When asked about goalscorer Slevin, Marty said: "Aaron has been with the club for the last 12-15 years. He's here almost as long as myself and he's playing some of his best football at the moment," said Byrne, who feels that the present success of Donegal Town is down to a youth policy started a few years ago.

"We have a panel of 22-23 players and every one of them has played their part this season," said Byrne.