Longford Town earned just their fourth win of the season at Flancare Park, as a Shane Barrett strike six minutes from time set them up for a 2-1 win over bottom side UCD.
Barrett’s second in three games, owed much to the work of strike partner Eric Lavine who played in the young striker as he cut past UCD’s line of defence and left foot the winner to the roof of keeper Pat Jennings’ net.
Alan Matthews’ midland side, since securing their place in next weekend’s Carlsberg Cup final, have claimed just a point in two league games but Pip Keogh’s twentieth minute header looked to have them on their way to a first home league success since the beginning of August.
The former Bray Wanderers’ midfielder scored his third of the season when he headed home Barrett’s right wing cross. UCD, who hadn’t scored in their previous three games, made a game of it as substitute Patrick McWalter found space to drag a low twelve-yard shot beyond Longford stopper Stephen O’Brien on 71 minutes.
Longford survived a late scare to remain in seventh place, a point behind Shamrock Rovers, as skipper Barry Ferguson cleared a potential 89th minute equaliser off the line from Alan McNally, and set their sights on next Sunday’s Carlsberg Cup final.
Filed by Rob Wright
