Longford Town’s 19-match unbeaten run against Athlone Town came to an end following a 3-1 loss to their neighbours at Bishopsgate.
Longford Town enjoyed the better chances in the early stages but Athlone were far more clinical at the other end while also profiting from sloppy defending.
Gary Cronin’s men dominated the opening exchanges and the first meaningful chance arrived six minutes in.
Athlone goalkeeper Vladislav Velikin dived low to keep out Christian Magerusan’s near-post header after he connected with Aaron Robinson’s cross.
Longford appeared to have taken the lead on 24 minutes. Firstly, a free-kick was awarded after Thomas Oluwa brought down Shane Elworthy out wide on the right.
Dylan Barnett’s delivery deflected off Michael Barker into the path of Karl Chambers who rifled the ball into the net.
The referee disallowed the goal for handball; it appeared to strike Barker’s arm from behind before the goal was scored.
Longford came close again on the half-hour mark. Matthew O’Brien’s and Elworthy combined to set up Magerusan who’s six-yard effort forced an acrobatic save from Velikin.
The visitors broke the deadlock on 42 minutes. The goal resulted from a free-kick awarded when Michael Barker was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Connolly out wide on the left.
Adam Lennon’s floated delivery deflected off Barker and was kept in play by Patrick Hickey who headed the ball across the box before Oluwa scored with a spectacular overhead kick.
Town almost pulled one back on 63 minutes. Barnett’s free-kick from the edge of the box came crashing off the crossbar after Hickey fouled Barker.
60 second later, Athlone moved two goals clear. Oisin Duffy’s long ball forward caused consternation in the Longford goalmouth and Michael Barker intended heading it back towards Dennison who had vacated the goals and the ball bounced into the empty net.
Longford almost pulled one back two minutes later; Robinson’s 20-yard effort forced an excellent save from Dennison. The ball went out for a corner which the hosts couldn’t exploit.
Gary Cronin’s men pulled one back on 70 minutes. Substitute Dean McMenamy heading into the corner of the net following a deflected shot from Kian Corbally inside the box.
Longford almost restored parity two minutes into injury time. Robinson’s 35-yard effort was saved by Velikin after Athlone failed to clear Elworthy’s cross.
The resultant corner amounted to nothing and two minutes later, Athlone sealed a momentous victory.
Duffy’s long ball forward found Adam Lennon in oceans of space, the Athlone midfielder ran into the box before firing low to the corner of the net.
Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Shane Elworthy, Michael Barker, Dylan Barnett, Ben Lynch; Aaron Robinson, Matthew O’Brien (Callum Warfield 87); Karl Chambers (Eric Molloy 64), Cristian Magerusan (51 Dean McMenamy), Kian Corbally; Jordan Adeyemo (Brandon McCann 87).
Athlone Town: Vladislav Velikin; Oisin Duffy, Aaron McBride, Noah Van Geenan, Ozare Irhue; Patrick Hickey, Aaron Connolly, Gary Armstrong (Daniel Dobbin 87), Oisin Duffy, Adam Lennon; Thomas Oluwa (Glen McAuley 71), Shane Barnes (Valeri Dolia 80).
Referee: Declan Toland
