Aaron McCabe struck a vital Longford Town winner eight minutes from time as Town overcame Galway United 1-0 at Eamon Deacy Park.
Town’s second away win of the season makes it two on the trot as their promotion challenge picked up a gear in a game Galway will rue missed chances.
The best chance of the first half arrived in the 12th minute and it was Longford that almost broke the deadlock.
An excellent exchange of passes down the right between Sam Verdon and Dylan Grimes opened up the Galway defence, and Grimes delivered a pacey cross that resulted in Galway keeper Kevin Horgan producing an outstanding save from Aodh Dervin's diving header.
Galway came close to scoring on 29 minutes, midfielder Maurice Nugent created space for himself 22-yards out on the left edge of the penalty area, his shot whizzed just wide of the far post.
Just before the interval, the visitors nearly hit the front when Sam Verdon's snapshot from the edge of the box rocketed just wide of the far post.
The Tribesmen should have found the Town net on 71 minutes, Shane Duggan's right sided corner found the head of the towering Nugent, but his downward header from just six-yards out bounced over the Longford bar.
Five minutes later, Galway missed the best opportunity of the contest. A great ball over the top of the high-line Town defence put Shane Doherty clean through on goal, but Town keeper Lee Steacy produced a magnificent save with his feet.
Totally against the run of play, Longford scored the crucial goal on 82 minutes.
A long ball from Dervin saw substitute striker Callum Warfield challenge Galway keeper Horgan, Horgan spilled the ball and the other Town substitute striker Aaron McCabe pounced to drill home the winning goal.
Galway Utd (4-4-2): Kevin Horgan, Christopher Horgan, Lynch, Farragher (Christopher 48), Ludden, Higgins, Nugent (Warweru 84), Duggan, Parthoens (Lomberto 78), Place, Doherty (Barry 78)
Longford Town (4-2-1-2-1): Steacy, Elworthy, Joe Manley, McDonnell, Hand (Chambers 64), Zambra, Dervin, Verdon, Grimes (McCabe 70), McNally (Lotefa 64), Rob Manley (Warfield 64)
