Linfield 1 Longford Town 0: Linfield dumped Longford out of the Setanta Cup last night, opened up Group One, jumped to the top of the table and set up another winner-take-all game showdown with Belfast rivals Glentoran.

Ironically, victory at Windsor Park last night, courtesy of Peter Thompson's first-half goal, kept alive Glentoran's hopes of reaching the May 21st final - but Linfield travel to the Oval next Tuesday knowing a draw will take them into a finale showdown with either Shelbourne or Cork City.

Linfield were forced to complete the last nine minutes with 10 men after Ryan McCann was sent-off for lashing out at Dean Fitzgerald.

Linfield came close to scoring when Glenn Ferguson's powerful shot fell inches wide of Stephen O'Brien's left post. They applied further pressure and were rewarded in the 24th minute when Thompson slipped the ball past an exposed O'Brien. Ryan McCann spotted Thompson's run and his past left Thompson all alone with only the goalkeeper to beat - and he did.

Longford responded, forcing a free-kick from which Dessie Baker found Barry Ferguson, only for the latter to head over the bar from close range.

In the 35th minute Linfield should have boasted a two-goal cushion but having been fed by Thompson, Ferguson wasted his opportunity with a weak attempt to lob O'Brien.

Then Sean Dillon aided his side when winger Mark Picking crept inside the goalmouth from the right wing. His fierce shot, however, cannoned of the shin of Dillon and spun to safety.

There was little Longford could do to in the second half to break down Linfield's defence. Goalkeeper Alan Mannus was only called into the action when Shane Barrett thumped a 20-yard shot into his arms in the 74th minute.Paul Keegan had a half chance in the 77th minute but drove his shot wide.

The game rose to a much more competitive level when Fitzgerald and Linfield's McCann tussled off the ball - an incident that lead to the dismissal of McCann.

LINFIELD: Mannus, W Murphy, McCann, D Murphy, Picking, Ferguson, Bailie, McAreavey, O'Kane, Douglas, Thompson. Subs: Shannon, Campbell, Larmour (for Thompson 84 mins), Hunter, Mouncey (for Picking, 63 mins), King (for McAreavey 85 mins), Ervin. Booked: Douglas (61 mins). Sent-off: McCann (81 mins)

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien, O'Connor, Prunty, Martin, Ferguson, Dillon, Kirby, Fitzgerald, Baiter, Keegan, Barrett. Booked: Kirby (84 mins). Subs: Byrne, Cronin, Lavine (for Martin 76 mins), McNichollas, Murphy, Myler (for Baker 53 mins), Dempsey.

Referee: A McCourt (Bangor)