Finn Harps remain on the fringes of the First Division title race thanks to a facile victory over Monaghan United at Finn Park.
The visitors, who had lost only once in their last six outings, began well but Harps took the lead in the 20th minute as Darren Meenan crowned his full league debut with a well-struck goal from just inside the box after Monaghan failed to clear a free.
Shane Bradley converted a 61st minute penalty after Meenan was impeded by Monaghan ‘keeper Tadhg Murphy.
Davitt Walsh then latched onto a poor kick-out to add the third on 72 minute, while Matthew Crossan cashed-in on a defensive mix-up to stab home the fourth eight minutes from time.
Harps are now just six points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Finn Harps: Gallagher, McGowan, Minnock, Asokuh, Bradley, Funston, Curran, Bell, Meenan, Walsh, Crossan.
Subs: McGavigan for Curran (75 mins), Mulligan for Walsh and O'Connor for Funston (both 77 mins).
Monaghan Utd: Murphy, Gannon, Kerr, McCauley, Whelan, Lee, McCann, Fullam, P Smith, R Smith, Farrell.
Subs: Heffernan for Smith and Finnegan for Gannon (both 66 mins).
Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).
