Longford Town - 0 Shelbourne - 2: League leaders Shelbourne consolidated their position at the top of the Eircom League Premier Division table with this rather effortless victory in Flancare Park last night.

Longford's poor home form continued as they crashed to their fourth league defeat on their home patch this season. By contrast the midlanders have lost only once on their travels.

Shelbourne did not have to pull out all the stops but they did have to withstand some strong Longford pressure in the second half as substitute Eric Lavine had a couple of super chances for the home side; however, he failed to finish any of them.

Shelbourne were excellent in the first half and took the lead in the 13th minute when Ollie Cahill's left-wing cross was headed home by Gerard Rowe

Longford were unfortunate to have found themselves in arrears at this stage. Shane Barrett had a glorious chance to fire them in front after just four minutes. His strike, though, cannoned off the back of defender Kevin Doherty.

Wesley Hoolohan had a couple of chances to extend the visitors' lead before the break but Shelbourne had to wait until the final minute of normal time to wrap up the points.

Ger McCarthy was the supplier this time. His inch-perfect pass left Glen Fitzpatrick with the simplest of tap-ins.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Kirby, Prunty, McGovern, Ferguson, Baker (Keegan, 52 mins), Fitzgerald (Keogh, 58), Byrne (Lavine, 52), Perth, Francis, Barrett.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Crawley, Rogers, Doherty (McDermott, 52 mins), Morgan, Cahill, Byrne (McCarthy, 76), Rowe, Fitzpatrick, Hoolahan.

Referee: J Feithery (Dublin).