Shelbourne stretch lead

Longford Town - 0 Shelbourne - 2:National League: Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon was the most surprised and perhaps happiest person in Flancare Park last night. His side scored a controversial victory over the midlanders and in doing so moved four points clear at the top of the Eircom League premier division.

The game hung on two rather dubious decisions, both made by assistant referee Mick Gillivan.

The official first allowed Shelbourne's opening goal to stand after Dave Rogers appeared to be in an offside position.

The Moate man wasn't finished there, however, as he disallowed what seemed a perfect equaliser for Longford in the 56th minute.

Shelbourne boss Fenlon admitted that his side's opening goal, scored by Rogers in the 43rd minute was "at least 10 yards offside" but somehow the goal was allowed to stand.

Longford were perfectly entitled to believe they had brought themselves back into this clash when Brian McGovern fired home in the 55th minute after Shelbourne goalkeeper Steve Williams had firstly made a superb save denying Shane Barrett.

However, this time Gillivan raised his flag and referee Dave McKeown disallowed the goal.

The Dubliners made victory safe in the 62nd minute when Ollie Cahill played a neat exchange with Jason Byrne before rifling an unstoppable shot past the despairing dive of home goalkeeper Dempsey.

LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey, Alan Murphy, Dillon, McGovern, Foley, Keogh, Kirby, Sheridan, Mulvihill, Barrett, Byrne. Subs: Adrian Murphy for Keogh (65 mins), Francis for Barrett (75 mins).

SHELBOURNE: Williams Heary, Crawley, Rodgers, Doherty, Crawford, Cahill, Morgan, J Byrne, Geoghegan, R Baker. Sub: D Baker for Geoghegan (85 mins).

Referee: D McKeown (Dublin)

• Drogheda recorded their fourth win of the season when they beat Derry City 1-0 at 0₂ Park last night. The all-important goal came on the stroke of half-time when Danny O'Connor fired home from close range. Derry upped the pace in the second half but failed to break down a solid home defence.