Monaghan were full value for this victory against struggling Longford Town in Flancare Park.
A late goal from substitute Darragh Hanaphy put the seal on Mick Cooke’s charges' win - their second triumph over their midland rivals this season.
Neither side seemed intent on seizing the initiative during a lifeless opening. The first shot on goal came courtesy of Longford’s Darren McKenna in the 14th minute. However, the game was to turn decidedly in Monaghan’s favour just two minutes later.
A long clearance from Monaghan keeper Danny Woods left Eoin Lanigan in the clear and his excellent finish gave little chance to home custodian Neil Gallagher.
Lanigan was almost in for a second goal in the 20th minute but his effort whizzed past Gallagher’s left hand post.
Longford did have a number of half chances before the break. The best of these fell to Rob Douglas but his effort just cleared Woods's crossbar.
However, Aaron Callaghan’s charges were caught napping again just four minutes after the restart. Monaghan’s Andy Haran poached for an opportunist goal, stabbing the ball home from the edge of the six-yard area.
Lanigan should have added a third soon after but he cannoned his effort off the crossbar when it seemed easier to score.
Monaghan keeper Woods paid his way with a superb stop in the 78th minute, denying Jason Oladele who had been put through by Andy Bermingham.
But Longford did grab the goal that their late rally merited just nine minutes from time when a quite spectacular Stephen Gough free-kick flew into the roof of the net despite the best efforts of Woods.
Longford pushed forward for a late, late equaliser but were caught on the break when Eoin Lanigan fed the ball to Hanaphy who slipped the ball under the advancing Neil Gallagher.
Longford Town: Gallagher; Garry (Gough 53); Frawley, Bermingham, Hardy; Rushe, Harte, Doyle (Connolly 53), Douglas (Lynch 68); Oladele, McKenna.
Monaghan Utd: Woods; Williamson, McMahon, Mooney, Whelan; Tierney (Reilly 77), Gartland, Brennan (O’Connor 88), McCrossan; Haran (Hanaphy 68), Lanigan.
Referee: P Caschera (Dublin)
