Longford Town score vital victory over Treaty in race for promotion

Treaty United . . . 0 Longford Town . . . 1

Longford Town FC got back on track in their quest for a spot in the First Division promotion play-offs with a vital victory over Treaty United FC at the Markets Field in Limerick on Friday night.

Daragh Murtagh capitalised on a defensive mistake to score the decisive only goal midway through the first half and the visitors were able to consolidate this slender lead to collect all three precious league points.

Next up for fourth placed Longford is the clash against bottom of the table Finn Harps at Bishopsgate on the Bank Holiday Monday (kick-off 5pm) in a great opportunity for another win and edge a step closer to the play-offs at the end of the season.

A misplaced pass from Kyle Foley gifted Murtagh the goal as the midlanders claimed a crucial success to move eight points clear of Treaty in ending the Shannonsiders' four-match unbeaten league run.

Town boss Wayne Groves made two changes following last week's disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Wexford, bringing Sean Moore and Dean Williams into the starting team in place of Sultan Adenekan and Stefan Ugbesia.

Treaty made the brighter start and fashioned the first opportunity after just three minutes. Dare Kareem closed down Kian Moore before unleashing a first-time effort, but his curling strike was comfortably gathered by the Longford goalkeeper.

The hosts continued to enjoy the better of the early exchanges, with both Ronan Manning and Kareem threatening, although neither managed to seriously test Moore. Manning's effort was comfortably saved, while Kareem dragged his shot well wide of the target.

Despite Treaty's positive start, it was Longford who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute following a costly defensive error.

Foley's misplaced pass left Killian Cantwell exposed, allowing Murtagh to nip in and calmly slot the ball beyond the advancing keeper Jack Brady to give the visitors the lead.

As heavy rain swept across the Markets Field, Treaty dominated possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Longford defence. The visitors nearly doubled their advantage before the break when Murtagh tested Cantwell from a tight angle on the stroke of half-time.

Barrett's side came closest to an equaliser just after the hour mark. Substitute Roy Lawlor produced an inviting cross that was met by Mark Byrne, whose powerful header forced Moore into an excellent fingertip save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Cian Curtis then squandered another promising opportunity 10 minutes later. A loose ball broke kindly for the attacker on the edge of the area, but he failed to make a clean connection and dragged his effort wide.

Longford were content to defend their lead but remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Pharrell Manuel demonstrated that with ten minutes remaining, driving forward before slipping Sean Moore through on goal. Moore looked to square the ball for Ugbesia, but Cantwell reacted superbly to cut out the danger.

Treaty continued to push for the equaliser in the closing minutes. Eric Yoro saw a goal-bound effort deflected narrowly wide before the hosts squandered their best chance in the game.

Another excellent delivery from Lawlor was cushioned into Brian Cunningham's path by Byrne, but Jake Hough produced a vital interception to deny the substitute what looked a certain goal.

That proved to be Treaty's final opportunity as Longford held firm to secure a valuable victory.

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Killian Cantwell, Kyle Foley, Ben Lynch, Robbie Lynch; Colin Conroy (Steven Healy, 73 mins), Ronan Manning (Roy Lawlor, 55 mins), Mark Byrne (Eric Yoro, 73 mins), Mark Murphy (Ben Cunningham, 84 mins); Cian Curtis, Dare Kareem.

Longford Town: Kian Moore; Daniel McKenna, Taylor McCarthy, Cole Omorehiomwan, Jake Hough; Pharrell Manuel (Scott Brady, 86 mins), Alex O’Brien, Sean Moore, Andy Paraschiv (Matthew Harris, 72 mins); Dean Williams (Stefan Ugbesia, 73 mins), Daragh Murtagh.

Referee: Darragh White.