Shamrock Rovers 0 Longford Town 1:Longford didn't play like a team with the ice-cold hands of relegation wrapped around their throats. And Rovers failed to perform like a side potentially on the cusp of something huge.
The hosts only raised their game in the closing quarter and squandered the chance to move four points off leaders Drogheda.
With far tougher games ahead they'll rue this missed opportunity.
Considering Longford's resurgence of late, this was always going to be a tricky prospect for the Dublin side and the defeat is not entirely difficult to fathom. But the fact it was former striker Dave Mooney who clinically dispatched the crucial goal in the 92nd minute will torment Rovers supporters.
Mooney at times stroked the ball as if on first name terms with it and he teased when afforded room to do so. Holding up play neatly, he often sprayed ball wide for winger John Reilly and subsequent crosses were well placed although the Rovers rearguard stood firm.
Indeed, Mooney was nicely in tune with his strike partner Dessie Baker. They both dropped deep and wide in search of possession and the energy with which they approached their work frustrated Rovers.
However, Rovers could easily have clinched it in the second half as Andy Myler drew a great reaction save from Kelly 14 minutes from time, and Kelly was the hero again when keeping out a David Cassidy shot.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; O'Brien, O'Connor, Ferguson, Clarke; Martin (Rowe 58), Reynolds (Shields 58) , McGill, Cassidy; Purcell, Myler (Doyle). Booked: Ferguson (12). Reynolds (21), O'Connor (31).
LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Sullivan, Brennan, Doherty, Prunty; Reilly (Martin 67), James, Deegan, Rutherford; Baker, Mooney. Booked: Sullivan (71), Doherty (87), Baker (90).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)