Premier Division debutants Longford Town emphasised their determination to stay in the top flight as they came from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers in a thrilling encounter in the murk and mud of Mullollogher to move up to joint-third in the table.
Unhappy at having to play the game on a very soft pitch, Rovers nonetheless started well and punished a series of defensive errors to take a 14th-minute lead.
The goal stemmed from a corner after Shane Robinson availed of hesitency in the Longford defence to force a save from Stephen O'Brien.
The danger remained, however, as Marc Kenny's resultant corner was met by Brian Byrne who gleefully headed home his third goal of the season.
It hadn't been the first sign of dithering in the home defence as, just a minute earlier, Longford captain Wesley Byrne had gifted the ball to Tony Grant whose cross was fired wide by Byrne.
But their shortcomings at one end were soon forgotten as the home side equalised with a thrilling goal on 22 minutes.
Rovers were angered at Longford being given a free-kick they thought was theirs. Seconds later, Rovers' manager Damien Richardson was hopping mad as the ball was worked wide to Stephen Gavin who crossed for Keith O'Connor to score with a spectacular overhead kick.
In what now was a real battle in atrocious weather, both sides showed great resolve in appalling conditions before a very wet attendance of over 1,500.
Longford got the break to get their noses in front for the winner on 58 minutes. Stephen Kelly met Enda Kenny's long diagonal ball to head against a post with a linesman ruling the ball bounced over the line before Robbie Horgan could grasp it.
"It was a brilliant match," said Longford manager Stephen Kenny. "I said after the Shels match last week that if the players' ambition was simply one of consolidation then they had no future at the club.
"Mediocrity isn't a word I want to here around Longford Town. Getting plaudits for getting draws at Tolka Park is not what we are interested in." A sentiment Rovers may appreciate.
LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Kenny, Smith, McNally, W Byrne; Gavin, S Byrne, Kelly, Coyle; O'Connor, Farrell. Subs: Zellor for Farrell (34 mins), Holt for Gavin (90 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Horgan; Brazil, Cronin, Palmer, Woods; Kenny, Robinson, Tracey, Byrne; Grant, Francis. Subs: Cousins for Robinson (82 mins).
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
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