O'Donovan pounces to claim the points

Longford Town 1 Cork City 2:Roy O'Donovan brought his league tally to 10 goals this season, scoring on the double as Cork left Flancare Park with three precious league points.

Having produced a great performance on Saturday in defeating Icelandic side, Valur in the Intertoto Cup, this was certainly less impressive, but manager Damian Richardson won't be upset as the victory keeps his side's title hopes alive.

However, the home side can count themselves unfortunate not to have secured at least a draw. They played some nice passing football throughout but found it hard to break through a sound visitors defence.

Denis Behan thought he had given Cork an 18th minute lead when his 35-yard drive looked destined for the top corner of Mick Dempsey's net. However, the Longford keeper managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Longford should have taken the lead just minutes later when Dave Mooney raced clear after being played through by Johnny Martin. However, Mooney rushed his shot and failed to trouble Michael Devine in the City goal. The visitors took the lead in first half stoppage time through O'Donovan. Mick Dempsey did brilliantly to stop Behan's deflected free kick but O'Donovan pounced to squeeze the ball home.

Longford were back on terms in the 54th minute when Gary Deegan volleyed home Daire Doyle's corner kick.

Cork regained the lead in the 64th minute. Mark Rutherford lost possession to Colin O'Brien inside the penalty area. And O'Brien's cross was brilliantly finished by O'Donovan.

Longford refused to accept defeat and pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Mooney was denied three times in the exciting closing stages.

LONGFORD TOWN:Dempsey (Kelly h-t); Sullivan, Brennan, Prunty, Rutherford, J Martin, Deegan, Doyle, R Martin (Wexler 66); Mooney, Freeman.

CORK CITY:Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Lordan; Gamble, O'Brien (Murphy 84), Softic, Kearney (Woods 68); O'Donovan, Behan.

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin)