NATIONAL LEAGUE/UCD...1 Longford Town...2: Alan Kirby's technically superb goal gave Longford Town a vital win - their first in five games - as they continued their revival under new manager Martin Lawlor.

Kirby's exquisite winner came on 68 minutes following a Stuart Holt free kick, when he controlled a headed clearance from UCD player-manager Paul Doolin and volleyed the ball into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

Nine minutes earlier, the sides had swapped goals as an intriguing fixture delivered on its promise.

Longford took the lead on 59 minutes from a Holt penalty which was awarded in controversial circumstances by Cork referee Adam Buttimer.

UCD goalkeeper Barry Ryan appeared to be fouled as he dropped a cross from Wes Byrne, and the scramble that followed, Clive Delaney was adjudged to have pulled down Fergal Coleman.

Holt sent Ryan the wrong way from the penalty spot.

UCD responded to the setback by equalising straight from the kick-off. Alan Gallen fed John Martin down the right and his low cross was deflected into the path of Mick O'Donnell at the back post, who scored third goal in successive games.

"UCD were the better side technically and organisationally," admitted Lawlor afterwards. "But we battled away and I feel we made the best of the resources we had. We stuck at our task and I think we got our just rewards for that in the end."

The win gives Longford, who still lie in the play-off place, a six-point cushion above Dundalk, who lie third from bottom.

UCD: B. Ryan; Quinn, Delaney, Purdy, D. Ryan; J. Martin, Doolin, McNally, O'Donnell; R. Martin, Gallen (Grogan 61).

Longford Town: O'Brien; Kelly, McNally (Holt 39), O'Connor, W Byrne; Kirby, Reynolds, V. Perth, Prunty; Coleman (Zellor 71), Lavine.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).