Finn Harps score late winner as Longford Town suffer unlucky defeat

Finn Harps . . . 3    Longford Town . . . 2

After producing a spirited comeback to wipe out a two-goal deficit inflicted by Finn Harps in the early stages of the Airtricity League First Division clash, brave Longford Town were eventually beaten in Ballybofey on Friday night. 

Showing improved form since first team coach Wayne Groves took charge in a caretaker role, managerless Longford were unlucky losers at Finn Park as the home side scored a late winner in this exciting encounter. 

Success Edogun ended his recent goal drought to fire his side to a hard earned win as he hit the target in the 85th minute to clinch all three points for the Donegal outfit.  

Harps let a commanding lead slip from their grasp as teenager Max Johnston struck to score his first goal for the club and captain Tony McNamee added a second as the hosts surged ahead with just 12 minutes gone on the clock.

But first half goals from Jordan Adeyemo, from the penalty spot, and Dean O'Shea, brought Longford level and the match was poised to end in stalemate before Edogun pounced for a late winner. 

Substitute Sean O'Donnell won the race for possession and he pulled the ball across from the byline for Edogun to arrow in the decisive third goal for Harps who maintained their strong challenge for a place in the promotion play-offs.

The home side got off to a flying start as Johnston headed in off the crossbar in the third minute. Edogun foraged on the right-hand side and he whipped in a cross for Johnston to get off the mark.

In stunning style, McNamee doubled the lead. The Harps captain neatly cushioned a clearance and from some 25 yards out the midfielder cracked a magnificent half-volley firmly beyond Longford keeper Jack Brady.

In between those goals, Longford weren't far off an equaliser, but Francis Campbell had his dart just off the bullseye when breaking dangerously down the right channel.

After David Cawley drilled wide from 20 yards, Longford pulled a goal back when Adeyemo confidently dispatched a 24th minute penalty just past the reach of Harps 'keeper Tim Hiemer after Jamie Watson bundled into the back of Ross Fay just as the Longford midfielder had his finger on the trigger.

Harps might have restored the two-goal lead soon after, but Brady got the tips of his fingers to Patrick Ferry's effort. 

A 2-1 win over Kerry FC a few days earlier represented Longford's first victory of the season as a sorry sequence of results cost Stephen Henderson his job as manager and interim boss Wayne Groves took his team to Donegal with their zapped confidence lifted somewhat.

It was certainly commendable that a Longford side that suffered eight defeats before the trip to Ballybofey were able to level matters. 

The equaliser materialised in the 32nd minute when O'Shea stole in to finish from Conor Crowley's free-kick.

Harps had lost four of their last five fixtures, including a 1-0 setback against Bray Wanderers on the Bank Holiday Monday.  

Harps should have gone back in front when Edogun climbed to meet a Luke O'Brien corner, but he headed over, while Brady held onto a testing O'Brien free-kick.

The pace of things dipped along with the sun but midway through the second half Johnston had to surge back to block from Adeyemo while Edogun forced Brady into a save at the other end.

It was looking like a draw until the dangerman Edogun popped up to score the winning goal and it was rough justice for Longford Town who will be hoping to get back on track in the rearranged league fixture against Treaty United at Bishopsgate on Monday night, kick-off 7.45pm. 

FINN HARPS: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Luke O'Brien; David Cawley, Ryan Rainey; Patrick Ferry (Sean O'Donnell 71 mins), Tony McNamee, Success Edogun (Conor Tourish 87 mins);Max Johnston.

LONGFORD TOWN: Jack Brady; Shane Elworthy, Viktor Serdeniuk, Dean O'Shea, Kyle O'Connor; Luke Wade Slater, Ross Fay, Conor Crowley, Mohammed Boudiaf (Bastien Hery 61 mins); Francis Campbell, Jordan Adeyemo.

Referee: Alan Patchell.