Bray relinquish lead to Longford

Bray Wanderers lost top spot after a surprise 3-1 defeat at bottom of the table Monaghan United at Gortakeegan yesterday. It was Monaghan's first victory under new player/manager Bobby Browne and their first win since September.

Browne provided the cross for the first goal after 22 minutes with James O'Callaghan shooting home. Paul Keegan equalised for Bray with a header two minutes before half-time.

But Monaghan bounced back in front within three minutes of the re-start when teenager Paul Smith scored. Kieran O'Brien, a half-time substitute, then made matters worse for Bray when he was sent off for an off-the-ball incident having been on the field only 12 minutes.

Andy Myler sealed the three points for Monaghan when scoring his 12th goal of the season from a 74th-minute penalty. Longford Town thus go back top on goal difference after their 2-0 defeat of Limerick FC at Strokestown Road on Saturday night, with an excellent second-half display. A good advantage by Dublin referee Declan Hanney allowed Stephen Gavin to carry on - after Keith O'Connor had been clearly fouled - and shoot Longford in front six minutes into the second half.

Richie Parsons then set up Robbie Coyle for Longford's winning goal seven minutes from time.

Having knocked them out of the Kilkenny City catapulted themselves back into the promotion race following two successive league defeats to do the double over rivals Dundalk in the space of three days and leapfrog them into third place after a 2-0 win at Buckley Park.

Jonathan Prizeman volleyed Kilkenny into a 22nd minute lead. Aiden Forde sealed Kilkenny's win 18 minutes from time.

Donal Golden's ninth goal of the season gave Cobh Ramblers a 1-0 win over Athlone Town at St Colman's Park.

Packie Kelly and Paul Coughlan combined up the right to set up Golden to volley home after 13 minutes.

It got no better for struggling Athlone who then had goalkeeper, Gary Connaughton, sent-off on 28 minutes for handling the ball outside his box.