Last time it was Sean Gannon who broke Longford hearts, this time Rory Gaffney scored the winner as late as the 95th minute as Rovers defeated Longford Town 1-0 in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Bishopsgate.
Gaffney had the first meaningful chance of the game as early as the first minute as his effort from 25 yards went narrowly wide.
On 19 minutes, Town missed a chance to get their noses in front when Aaron Robinson’s close range effort flew over the bar after he was set up by Paddy Kirk.
The Hoops missed a golden chance to grab the opener in the 27th minute as Liam Scales was left unmarked inside the box but his tame header went wide leaving the sides tied at 0-0 at the break.
11 minutes after the restart, Rovers almost broke the deadlock when Graham Burke’s curling free-kick forced a great save from Lee Steacy in the Town goal.
Burke missed an opportunity to put that right in the 64th minute when he scuffed his shot wide from 12 yards out.
Two minutes later, the visitors were almost punished when Rob Manley pulled off a brilliant piece of improvisation to latch onto Dylan Grimes’ free kick but his shot went over the bar.
A scoreless draw looked to be on the cards but Stephen Bradley’s men had time for one last hurrah.
Daniel Mandroiu floated in a cross and while Steacy saved the first shot from Lee Grace, the rebound was finished to the net by Rory Gaffney after a deflection off the face of Paddy Kirk.
