Frantz Pierrot broke Longford Town hearts with a late double as Athlone Town claimed another El Classico.
Longford Town’s brave late play-off run coming to a halt after a 3-2 derby defeat writes Tony Ghee.
Longford should have taken the lead after 11 minutes when both Athlone centre-backs, German Fuentes Rodriguez and Noah Van Geenan misjudged a Shane Elworthy ball.
Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh found his way in on goal but Athlone keeper Enda Minogue was equal to the Longford striker’s shot.
Longford were the better side in the first-half, however, the 31st minute was their next chance. Elworthy heading the ball onto striker Cristian Magerusan. Magerusan bicycle-kick was straight at Minogue.
Athlone took the lead against the run of play on 38 minutes. Jamar Campion-Hinds throw-in was headed on by Patrick Hickey, into the path of the unmarked Valerii Dolia. Dolia smashing home a low drive from 12-yards.
The hosts were very dangerous attacking down the right, which was the source of their merited equaliser just two minutes later. Magerusan slotting home his seventh goal of the season.
A Dylan Hand throw-in wasn’t cleared properly by Hickey. Hand ran onto the ball directing a brave header back into the visitors' box. Magerusan lost his marker and slid the ball under Minogue into the net.
Longford Town almost took the lead on 58 minutes. Shane Elworthy leaping above his marker at the back post, but his header from Kyle O’Connor’s left-wing cross went narrowly over the Athlone bar.
Longford took the lead with 65 minutes on the Clock. Magerusan timing his run to perfection to power home a thunderous header from Viktor Serdeniuk’s curling free-kick.
Athlone Town Comeback
The hosts went off the boil after taking the lead. Allowing the visitors to get more possession of the ball and they equalised 10 minutes from time with a superb goal.
The introduction of Athlone substitutes Daniel Orrego and Dylan Gavin changed the game, Gavin especially outstanding.
Substitute Daniel Orrego whipped in a low cross from the right, another substitute Dylan Gavin cleverly stepped over the ball to catch the Longford rear-guard by surprise. Pierrot rifled the ball to the roof of the Longford net.
Athlone secured all three points two minutes from time.
As Longford searched for the winner, the visitors broke. Gavin played a long ball over Town defender Gavin O’Brien who found himself the wrong side of Pierrot.
The Athlone striker shrugged off O’Brien’s challenge and guided his shot beyond Brady to the bottom corner of the net.
Longford almost levelled matters in the last minute of normal time but Athlone keeper Minogue produced a superb save from Jordan Adeyemo’s close range strike.
The defeat leaves Longford Town five points off the play-off places. While, Athlone Town sit fourth in the first division table.
Longford Town (3-5-2): Brady, O’Brien (Adeyemo 74), Temple, Hand, Elworthy, O’Connor, Wixted, Serdeniuk, Armstrong (Boudiaf), O’Brien Whitmarsh, Magerusan.
Athlone Town (4-1-4-1): Minogue, Duffy, Rodriguez (Abdikadir 56), Van Geenen, Kavanagh (Gavin 74), Campion-Hinds, Hickey, Connolly, McKenna, Dolia (Orrego 61), Pierrot.
