eircom league: Longford Town 1 St Pats 0

Longford skipper Barry Ferguson

St. Pat’s will feel they deserved to get something out of the game and should have gone in front after just four minutes, but Stephen O’Brien made a great save to deny Chris Armstrong.

Longford’s best chance of the opening half fell to Paul Keegan in the 15^th minute but the home striker blasted over from just five yards out. Another good chance fell to Dessie Baker in the 35^th minute but his shot was well saved by Barry Ryan.

In a game full of scoring chances, Pat’s fell to Robbie Doyle in the 60^th minute but somehow he managed to stumble over the ball when he looked certain to score.

Longford had a strong penalty claim in the 70^th minute but the referee waved play on but seven minutes later he awarded them a far more dubious penalty when he adjudged Pat’s centre half Stephen Caffrey of handling a cross from Dave Mooney.

Home skipper Barry Ferguson blasted home the penalty to give Longford a victory which moves the midlanders up to 4^th in the premier division standings.

Longford Town: O’Brien; O’Connor, Ferguson, Paisley, Prunty; Martin (Mooney 70), Fitzgerald, Byrne, Cronin; Keegan (Myler 89), Baker.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Ryan; Prenderville, Caffrey, Maguire, Frost; O’Connor, Reilly, Maher (Rowe 56), Donnelly, Doyle; Armstrong.