First Division round-up: Ten-man Longford Town secure dramatic win over Treaty United as Finn Harps hold Galway United to draw

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Cristian Magerusan was ten-man Longford Town’s hero as he netted twice to condemn Treaty United to a defeat at the Market’s Field.

Tommy Barrett’s side looked on course to claim a morale-boosting victory with just ten minutes left to play after Aaron Walsh was sent off for Longford Town.

At that point they were 2-1 ahead following goals from Adam Lennon and Dean George in the first-half.

Longford were level for a brief spell after Gary Armstrong cancelled out Lennon’s opener with a fine low finish.

But it was in the second half when De Town came alive to salvage a win from the jaws of defeat.

Magerusan opened his account in the 87th minute with a superb free-kick that flew past Treaty stopper Corey Chambers to level proceedings.

And in the fifth minute of injury time the forward pounced on some slack Treaty defending to turn the ball into the net.

Remarkably, that was Longford’s first ever competitive over Treaty United – and it was the first time they came from behind to win a game this term.

They now sit in eighth place, just four points behind fifth-placed Wexford who occupy the final play-off position.



However, Finn Harps also claimed a big point at home to Galway United with a 2-2 draw.

Dave Rogers’ side – like Longford Town – have play-off ambitions of their own so this result will give their hopes a welcome shot in the arm.

Ronan Manning gave the Tribesmen a first-half lead when he netted in the 16th minute, but they were soon reduced to ten-men after Vincent Borden was dismissed for late challenge.

Teenager Sean O’Donnell eventually levelled for Harps in the second half before Galway scored again via Rob Slevin to take a lead into the final 20 minutes of the game.

But with the game in injury time Daithi McCallion found the net to grab a draw for the Co Donegal side. They are now just three points behind Wexford.



Meanwhile, nine-man Bray Wanderers took a point from their game against Athlone Town – but it could have been more.

Dave Webster and Cole Omorehiomwan were sent off for Ian Ryan’s men and it looked for a time that they would succumb to another home defeat.

Frantz Pierrot gave Athlone a first-half lead before Bray Wanderers eventually went ahead in the second period with ten-men after Webster’s dismissal.

Chris Lyons levelled matters in the 65th minute while he then struck again to put the Seagulls ahead ten minutes later.

But the game turned on its head soon after when Omorehiomwan was dismissed for a second yellow card – and Athlone eventually equalised via Nehemie Lamtoukou in the 93rd minute.

The Seagulls remain outside the play-off places but they will take confidence from their performance at the Carlisle Grounds ahead of Monday’s tie against Longford Town.

Elsewhere, Wexford missed out on a chance to snatch all three points from Cobh Ramblers thanks to a last-minute Jack Doherty penalty, resulting in a 2-2 draw at St Colman’s Park.

First-half goals from Thomas Oluwa and Danny Furlong were cancelled out by a Tiernan O’Brien strike and a late spot-kick from Doherty.

The away side were sitting in fourth place in the table with moments to go but thanks to the late penalty, followed by a last-minute equaliser for Athlone Town in Bray, James Keddy’s side must settle with remaining in fifth.

And at the RSC, Waterford recorded a routine 3-0 win over Kerry.

Connor Parsons opened the scoring for Keith Long’s men before Roland Idowu and Ronan Coughlan both netted to seal the deal in the second half.

The Blues remain well behind league leaders Galway United in second place – 16 points behind the Tribesmen.

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