Bohemians bounced back from last week's defeat by Shamrock Rovers on Saturday night when they comfortably overcame Monaghan United at Dalymount Park thanks to goals from Fergal Harkin, Glen Crowe and Dave Morrison.
With Harkin and Crowe having scored within the opening quarter of an hour, the game was effectively over before the visitors had really had a chance to settle but they battled on well and emerged with some pride by avoiding the sort of savaging that Bohemians had subjected UCD and Galway United to in recent weeks.
At Richmond Park, Paul Osam and Mbabazi Charles Livingstone were on target for St Patrick's who beat Bray 2-0 to stay in touch with the premier division leaders.
At Flancare Park Dundalk were fortunate to come away with a point despite the home side having Keith O'Connor sent off.
Eric Lavine gave the home side the lead after 11 minutes but Jonathan Prizeman equalised 10 minutes later. John Connolly restored Longford's lead with a quarter of an hour remaining but Martin Reilly salvaged a point when he drove home a David Crawley cross on 85 minutes.
