National League Premier Div/Longford Town 1 Waterford Utd 0:League Cup finalists Longford Town stretched their unbeaten run to seven games when they got the better of high-flying Waterford United at Flancare Park on Saturday night, thanks to a 69th- minute winner from substitute Seán Francis that put them fourth in the Premier Division table.
The home side set the early pace and went close to hitting the front with a minute gone when Philip Keogh just failed to get his head to a cross from Alan Kirby.
Longford continued to dominate and Brian Byrne should have done better with a good opportunity on 22 minutes.
Longford stepped up a gear in the second half and Eric Lavine was denied when his well-struck shot was parried by Waterford goalkeeper Dan Connor, with Ger McLoughlin booting the ball to safety in the 63rd minute.
Waterford almost took the lead against the run of play four minutes later. Mark Clifford's run had the Town defence in a real tangle, but he shot just wide.
The deadlock was eventually broken when a great burst down the right wing by the excellent Barrett saw him cross from the end line and Francis knocked the ball home from point blank range.
LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Dillon, Ferguson, McGovern, Prunty; Kirby, Keogh, Sheridan, Byrne; Lavine, Barrett. Subs: Francis for Byrne (62 mins).
WATERFORD UNITED: Connor; McLoughlin, Breen, Byrne, Mallon; O'Brien, Clifford, Rudden, Waters; Phelan, Reilly. Subs: Barnes for Phelan (61 mins), Banville for Reilly (81 mins).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)
