Longford's poor home form continued as they lost to a smash-and-grab raid. Colm Tresson, a first-half substitute for the injured Eddie Gormley, made a telling return from his five week lay-off with a hamstring strain to score the only goal on 58 minutes. In an added twist, it was former-Bray winger Robbie Coyle who was caught in possession on the edge of the box and Tresson once more showed his goal-scoring instinct to react quickest and shoot past Stephen O'Brien.

The result was tough on Longford who have now managed just four points from a possible 15 at home having lost only once at Strokestown Road on their way to promotion last term.

But they can have few complaints as they spurned several clearcut chances, with striker Keith O'Connor the most wasteful.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, Smith, McNally, W Byrne; Gavin, S Byrne, Kelly, Coyle; Farrell, O'Connor. Subs: Zellor for Coyle (65 mins.), Holt for Murphy (76 mins.), P Perth for S Byrne (88 mins.).

BRAY WANDERERS: van Boxtel; Britton, Lynch, Campbell, Farrell; Dempsey, Long, Gormley, Keogh; Byrne, O'Connor. Subs: Tresson for Gormley (injured 33 mins), Gifford and K O'Brien for Dempsey and O'Connor (both 84 mins.).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).