Longford Town's recent good run came to an end at Terryland Park on Friday night when they lost four-three to Mervue United in their Airtricity League of Ireland first division clash.

The Town almost snatched a point at the death after coming back from four goals to one down, but Mark Sammon's twenty-five yard strike crashed against the underside of the Mervue bar and bounced away to safety.

Former  Town player, Evan Connolly, put the home side ahead with a clever lob on six minutes before Victor Ekanem equalised when he pounced on a goal-line clearance to drill home from ten yards.

However, the home side scored in the 31st and 38th minutes to lead by three goals to one at the interval. Dan Cunningham scored first and that was followed by a superb goal from Don Tierney who driblled past several Town players before curling a sublime shot past Shanahan.

Mervue scored their fourth goal when substitute, Tommy Walsh, curled home a magnificent twenty-five yard free on the hour mark.

The Town got back into the contest when substitute Don Cowen set up McDonagh and he rifled the ball to the Mervue net on 68 minutes.

A grandstand finish was produced when Lester's free was powerfully headed home by Chris Deans five minutes before the end, and the visitors came agonisingly close to snatching a sensational draw only for that late Sammon strike to hit the underside of the crossbar.