Liam Scales grabbed a last-gasp winner as Shamrock Rovers beat Longford Town 1-0 with another late winner.
Longford Town sought to set the tone early through a crunching tackle from full-back Paddy Kirk. Unfortunately for the ex-Bohs man, he was late on Aidomo Emakhu, earning himself a caution.
Emakhu was lively when sparked into action, and he almost have the hosts an early lead in the 7th minute. But he could only shoot wide after dispossessing Michael McDonnell in Town defence. Graham Burke went close for Stephen Bradley’s side, but his tame effort was easily picked up by Steacy in the Longford goal.
The Red and Black were a threat on the break however, and they almost took a shock lead, but Liam Scales was on hand to deny Rob Manley with a superb last-ditch tackle on his ex-UCD teammate.
Rovers continued to press, but they could not break the deadlock before half-time. Roberto Lopes and Emakhu unable to suitably trouble the Longford goal.
However Longford dealt with much of the threat posed to them by the Hoops, but it was only in the closing stages of the game where the hosts upped the ante.
Lee Steacy was forced into a superb save to deny Burke as the 90 minutes came to a close, but they were unable to hold out for a point, with Scales netting the latest of late winners.
The former Ireland U21 leaped highest to meet Ronan Finn’s cross, and once again defeat Longford in injury time.
Shamrock Rovers:
Mannus; Scales, Lopes, Hoare; Murphy (Finn, 66), McCann (Mandroiu, 61), Towell (Watts, 61), Kavanagh (Grace, 89); Greene, Burke, Emakhu (Gaffney, 61).
Longford Town:
Steacy; McNally (J. Manley, 85), McDonnell, O’Driscoll, Kirk; O’Brien (Robinson, 61), Dervin, Zambra; Grimes (Chambers, 61), R. Manley; Dobbs (Warfield, 73).
Referee:
Robert Hennessy.
