In-form Cobh Ramblers, courtesy of their seventh win from eight games, moved to the top of the table for the first time this season with a 3-0 win over Monaghan United at St Colman's Park yesterday.

Midfielder Keith Dalton inspired Cobh with two excellent goals, the first a stunning strike on 36 minutes past Eddie van Boxtel from over 25 yards.

His second came on 69 minutes when he showed good composure to score after Sean Francis's clever chip over the Monaghan defence played him through.

Anthony Kenneally sealed Ramblers' win by heading home Willie Byrne's cross six minutes from time.

Winger Paul Carr also scored twice yesterday as Limerick moved back into the top half of the table with a convincing 3-0 defeat of bottom of the table St Francis at Hogan Park.

Howie King flicked on Paddy Doyle's cross to set up Carr's first goal on 26 minutes.

A mistake by goalkeeper Enda Murphy, who fumbled a King header two minutes into the second-half, gifted Carr his second goal. King added the third eight minutes later with a crisp volley from 18 yards.

Longford Town's slide continued with their 2-0 defeat at Home Farm/Everton on Saturday night.

Robbie Farrell shot home a cross from Thomas McGauley to give Home Farm a 15th-minute lead.

Longford fell further behind just after the restart when Gavin Moore tapped in his sixth goal of the season after Darryl Mooney's shot had come back off the crossbar.

An 87th minute goal, his second of the match, from Alan Oliver deprived Kilkenny City of a fourth successive win as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Athlone Town.

Oliver initially equalised within a minute after a sublime goal from Michael Reddy had given Kilkenny a sixth-minute lead. The impressive Reddy was then taken down inside the box seven minutes before half-time and Davy Walsh converted the penalty.