League Report: Drogheda United 0 - 3 Longford Town

A brace from Gary Shaw and a late goal from Stephen Rice saw Longford Town consolidate their Premier Division status for next season but left Drogheda Utd fighting for their survival.

With just one game left Drogs need to get something away to Shamrock Rovers and hope Sligo Rovers can defeat Limerick. For Town they know a point against Derry City will see them finish sixth in their first season back in the top flight.

Town deserved the win but Drogs made them work for the victory. They played some nice football but just couldn’t put away the chances they created. They also felt a number of decisions went against them in the opening half.

For Town’s first goal that was scored by Gary Shaw in the third minute Drogs felt that ball didn’t cross the line but the assistant referee gave it. They also thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty in the 20^th minute when Tiernan Mulvenna went down under a challenge from Rhys Gorman but the ref waved play on.

After finding themselves going behind early in the game Drogs very nearly drew level with a chance from Sean Thornton in the fourth minute. They were then reduced to 10 men in the eighth minute when Joe Gorman received a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Ayman Ben Mohamed.

The penalty claim was the next incident of note in the game before Town had a chance, just prior to the break, to double their advantage; Pat Sullivan played a long ball out of defence and it fell to David O’Sullivan but his shot lacked power.

Two minutes after the interval Ben Mohamed had a chance for Town but he clipped the crossbar with his effort. Drogs broke and Keith Treacy very nearly levelled matters.

Town substitute Jamie Mulhall was a real threat down the right wing and in the 64^th minute he played a neat ball into Rice but the midfielder just couldn’t find the target.

One minute later and O’Sullivan had another chance to get Town’s second goal. Moments later midfielder Kevin O’Connor then drove his shot wide. Although Town were creating opportunities Drogs still posed problems and tried to get them on the break.

After going nearly seven months without a goal Shaw got his and his side’s second of the night in the 77^th minute when he finished off O’Connor’s pass from just inside the box. Down the other end Thornton’s corner was hit wide by Sean Brennan.

In the 90^th minute Town got their third goal when Shaw’s mishit shot fell nicely to Rice and he made no mistake.

Drogheda Utd: Micheal Schlingermann; Joe Gorman, Alan Byrne, Michael Daly, Jason Marks; Mark Hughes, Sean Thornton, Robert Bayly (Bob McKenna 73), Keith Treacy (Adam Whelan 79), Tiernan Mulvenna (L Donnelly 85), Sean Brennan.

Subs Not Used: James Daly, Sam McGowan, Mark O’Brien, Ger Pender.

Booked: Gorman (4), Brennan  (39), Thornton (86).

Sent off: Gorman (8).

Longford Town: Paul Skinner; Pat Sullivan, Rhys Gorman, Mark Rossiter (Jamie Mulhall 24), Conor Powell; Philip Gannon (Mark Salmon 85), Kevin O’Connor, Stephen Rice, Ayman Ben Mohamed; David O’Sullivan (Dean Kelly 75), Gary Shaw.

Subs Not Used: Paul Hunt, Martin Deady, Kaleem Simon, Lorcan Shannon.

Booked: Rice (67).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton (Clare).

Attendance: 1,500 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rhys Gorman (Longford Town).