A second-half blitz proved decisive as Longford Town fell to a three-nil defeat at the hands of Treaty United at the Markets Field.
The score is a true reflection of proceedings as the hosts dominated the possession stakes and created far more meaningful scoring chances.
The game’s first chance fell to Treaty on five minutes. The hosts were awarded a free-kick after Shane Elworthy fouled Willie Armshaw out wide on the left.
Stephen Christopher’s delightful delivery found Callum McNamara unmarked inside the six-yard box only for the Treaty defender to miss the target completely.
Town were finding the hosts hard to break down but Gary Cronin’s men eventually created an opening on 26 minutes.
Eric Molly sent Dylan Barnett away down the left and the Town captain’s cross found Karl Chambers inside the box but he skied his effort over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Treaty were awarded a free-kick 40 yards out after Aaron Robinson fouled Stephen Christopher.
Jack Lynch attempted to catch Luke Dennison off his line but Town were massively relieved to see his effort sail over the crossbar.
Joe Power appeared to given Town the lead on 52 minutes only for the goal to be ruled out.
Slick interplay between Eric Molloy and Aaron Robinson culminated in the latter crossing to Power who found the net only for his effort to be flagged offside.
Town would subsequently rue those missed chances as Treaty United eventually broke the deadlock three minutes later.
Treaty were awarded a penalty when Mick McDonnell brought down Armshaw inside the box and Marc Ludden confidently dispatched the resultant spot-kick.
On 66 minutes Town’s problems were compounded when the deficit was doubled and they were simultaneously reduced to ten men.
Another penalty was awarded when Enda Curran was pushed by Sam Verdon inside the box. Verdon received a red card and Curran converted the spot kick.
The Limerick outfit sealed victory seven minutes from time. Ludden’s cross found Curran who headed past Luke Dennison for his seventh goal of the season as Treaty recorded an emphatic victory.
Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Shane Elworthy, Mick McDonnell (Matthew Dunne 70), Michael Barker, Dylan Barnett; Aaron Robinson, Matthew O’Brien; Karl Chambers (62 Dean McMenamy), Joe Power (Jordan Adeyemo 70), Eric Molloy (Sam Verdon 62); Cristian Magerusan (86 Callum Warfield)
Treaty United: Jack Brady; Jack Lynch, Sean Guerins, Callum McNamara, Marc Ludden; Matt Keane (Josh Quinlivan 90), Joe Collins (Martin Coughlan 58), Stephen Christopher (90 Leon Kirrane), Lee Devitt, Willie Armshaw (76 Joel Coustrain); Conor Melody (Enda Curran 58)
