Galway United regained the leadership of the First Division despite throwing away a 2-0 lead against Athlone Town at St Mel's Park yesterday as erstwhile leaders Longford crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Limerick.

Galway raced into a 2-0 lead within 16 minutes after scoring two free-kick goals.

Dead-ball specialist Gareth Gorman beat Athlone goalkeeper, Gary Connaughton, from 20 yards after eight minutes and Eric Levine did likewise eight minutes later.

Athlone's fight-back began on 68 minutes, when the impressive Alan Oliver headed home Mark Patton's corner. Alan Kelly then completed Athlone's salvage operation two minutes later after Galway midfielder Brendan O'Connor gave the ball away cheaply to Paul McGee, who crossed for Kelly to score from close range.

Limerick stretched their unbeaten run to seven games by toppling Longford Town, who failed to score for the first time this season.

Derek White scored on 22 minutes when forcing the ball home after Longford goalkeeper, Stephen O'Brien, could only parry White's header from Declan Casey's corner.

The prodigal Tommy Gaynor then scored his third goal in successive matches when running 40 yards to slip the ball past O'Brien four minutes into injurytime.