Longford boosted their hopes of promotion from Allianz football league division four with a 0-14 to 0-8 victory over Carlow at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Longford were three points clear at half-time and finished with six points to spare, despite playing against the wind in the second-half.
The sides traded three points each inside the opening 25 minutes. Mark Hughes (two) and Ruairi Harkin on target for the hosts.
Longford subsequently found another gear. Scores from Hughes, Daniel Reynolds and Paddy Kiernan saw Paddy Christie’s men lead six points to three at half-time.
Longford’s Ruairi Harkin and Carlow’s Jordan Morrissey traded points after the restart. However, the visitors failed to score again for nine minutes.
Darren Gallagher slotted over three points in succession as the hosts restored their six-point cushion on 45 minutes.
Aaron Amond ended Carlow’s scoring drought four minutes later. Further points from Jordan Morrissey and Mikey Bambrick made it a four-point game with seven minutes remaining.
Mark Hughes and Jamie Clarke subsequently traded points before Longford finished the game with two unanswered points.
Late scores from Daniel Mimnagh and Daniel Reynolds saw Longford run out convincing winners.
Paddy Christie's side move to eight points with just one game remaining in division four. With Leitrim beating Laois, victory over Wexford next weekend may see Longford promoted depending on other results.
