They may be firmly rooted to the foot of the eircom League of Ireland Premier Division, but Longford Town recorded their biggest win of the season in Flancare Park as a brace from Dave Mooney and a late Jamie Duffy goal gave them a resounding win against Bohemians.
The win avenges Town's worst defeat of the season, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the same opposition back in May. And it was richly deserved.
Despite the greasy underfoot conditions, both sides endeavoured to play attacking football. Glen Crowe was causing problems for the home defence early on, while Dessie Baker also had his moments in front of the Bohs goal.
Liam Byrne should have given Bohemians a seventh-minute lead but his strike was blocked away by Pat Sullivan. However, that was the only shot on target that the visitors enjoyed all night.
Longford hit the front in the 25th minute. Mooney pounced on a weak Dean Pooley back-pass to stab home the opener.
It was no less than the home side deserved and they should have extended their advantage before the break. Twice Mooney got in behind the Bohs defence but on both occasions wasted good goal scoring opportunities.
Bohs midfielder Michael McGinley did have a shot from distance in the 62nd minute, but his effort was well wide of the target.
Further disaster for Bohs arrived in the 72nd minute. Substitute Mark Rossiter, only on the field of play eight minutes, was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Longford's Gary Deegan.
Despite their numerical disadvantage Bohemians were the better team for much of the last 20 minutes. Darren Mansaram and Glen Crowe had good chances for them late on. However, neither player could manage a shot on target.
Longford made sure of victory with two late goals. Dave Mooney headed home a Dessie Baker free-kick just three minutes from time, while Duffy grabbed his first goal for the club in injury time, firing the ball home despite the best efforts of visiting 'keeper Keith Gallagher.
Longford Town: Kelly; Sullivan, Doherty, Brennan, Prunty; Duffy, Freeman, Deegan, Reilly (James, 68 mins); Baker (Wexler, 90), Mooney.
Bohemians: Murphy (Gallagher, 37 mins); Powell, Burns, Pooley, Heary; McCann, Rice, Hunt, McGinley (Rossiter, 64); Mansaram, Crowe.
Referee: M Gough (Limerick).
