National League / Premier Division / Shamrock Rovers 4 Longford Town 2: If Shamrock Rovers avoid relegation this term, last night's 4-2 result against Longford Town may well be a crucial win in what has been a roller-coaster season.

Having lost the previous three games, Rovers were in real need of a victory and, trailing 2-1 with 19 minutes to go, they appeared headed for another defeat.

But out of nothing Willo McDonagh headed home an equaliser and Lee Roche put Rovers in front three minutes later. Mark Quigley grabbed a fourth in the last minute to move them up to fourth from bottom of the league table.

Rovers took the lead in the 26th minute when a sublime Marc Kenny pass picked out Molloy and the Rovers captain easily beat Seamus Kelly from 18 yards.

But three minutes later, Longford were back on level terms.

Paul Keegan capitalised on Mark Rutherford's error to fire against the upright but the rebound fell to David Mooney, who stabbed home from three yards.

Mooney put Longford back in front after 52 minutes when he picked up a Keegan flick-on before slipping between two Rovers defenders and crashing a shot past Murphy.

Longford looked comfortably in control but Rovers never gave up and eventually drew level after 71 minutes when McDonagh headed home Molloy's cross from a tight angle.

Three minutes later, Rovers were ecstatic when Roche coolly beat Kelly from close range after being put through by Molloy.

During a hectic finale Rovers hung on with Murphy making an outstanding save from Cawley.

But in the last minute, Quigley made the game safe with a classic breakaway goal when he tapped home a Molloy pass.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Shelly, Foley, McDonnell, Rutherford; Quigley, Kenny (Treacy 70), McDonagh, Sheridan; Roche, Molloy.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Gough (Barrett 80), O'Connor, Dillon, Prunty; Kirby, Fitzgerald, Cawley, Cronin; Mooney, Keegan.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).