Longford Town 0 Drogheda Utd 1:High-flying Drogheda kept their good early season form going with this victory in Flancare Park. However, they looked anything but prospective champions in this poor encounter against the division's bottom club.

Longford received a sucker -punch as early as the ninth minute. At one end of the field they had legitimate claims for a penalty after Damian Brennan's goal-bound header appeared to be handled by a Drogheda defender.

But then from a quick breakaway the visitors struck for what proved to be the game's only goal.

Paul Keegan played a delicate ball in behind the home defence and Shane Robinson's exquisite 25-yard lob put Drogheda in front.

Robinson went close again with a similar type effort 10 minutes later. This time, however, goalkeeper Shay Kelly was back in time to tip the ball over.

Longford had a good chance to draw level in the 33rd minute when Dave Mooney crossed for the inrushing Gary Deegan. However, Deegan's volley was narrowly off target.

Longford came out firing after the break and they should have been level in the 62nd minute.

Pat Sullivan's long throw-in was headed on target by Kevin Doherty. However, Drogheda goalkeeper Mikko Vilmunen managed to push the ball around the post for a corner.

The midlands outfit had another great chance to earn a share of the spoils just 12 minutes from time. Deegan played in David Freeman, but the striker screwed his effort the wrong side of the post.

Deegan again went close for the luckless home side just four minutes later. However, on this occasion his scorching volley was comfortably saved by visiting goalkeeper Vilmunen.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Sullivan, Brennan (Wexler, 56 mins), Doherty, Prunty; Deegan, Doyle, J Martin, Rutherford; Freeman, Mooney.

DROGHEDA UTD: Vilmunen; Lynch, Shelly, Gartland, Webb; Robinson, Keegan, Byrne, Cahill; Fitzpatrick (Zayed, 56 mins), O'Brien (O'Keefe, 88 mins).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)