Glen Crowe maintained his amazing goal-scoring spree as he hit another hat-trick that terrorised Longford Town's hapless defence at Strokestown Road as Bohemians moved to within two points of leaders Shelbourne.

It brought Crowe's tally to a remarkable 16 for the season, his 12 in the last seven games.

Longford's start proved too good to be true and they conceded four goals before the break despite Bohemians having gifted them the lead on three minutes.

There was no pressure as Bohemians captain Stephen Caffrey failed to cut-out a Keith O'Connor cross and Tony O'Connor inexplicably side-footed into his own net.

However, Bohemians punished defensive frailties to cruise back into the game.

Caffrey was allowed a free header at the near post from David Morrison's corner to equalise on 18 minutes.

Paul McNally then failed to cut out a cross from Simon Webb to present Crowe with his first of the game. Crowe struck again on the half-hour heading home from a Trevor Molloy cross.

Bohemians' fourth goal arrived from a Molloy penalty in first-half injury time after Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien had pulled down Crowe.

It got no better for Longford in the second-half. A post deprived Crowe of his hat-trick on 61 minutes before Morrison added the fifth goal a minute later when O'Brien could only punch his corner onto a post and into the net.

Longford Town: O'Brien; Murphy, McNally, Smith, Kenny; Gavin, V. Perth, S. Byrne, Notaro; O'Connor, Zellor. Subs: Coyle and Holt for Perth and Smith (both at half-time), Farrell for Notaro (58 mins.).

Bohemians: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Caffrey, Webb; Morrison, O'Keeffe, Hopper, Molloy; O'Neill, Crowe. Subs: Markey for O'Neill (64 mins.), O'Brien for O'Keeffe (69 mins.), Quigley for Maher (73 mins.).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).