Dundalk failed to take advantage of Longford Town's 2-1 defeat at home to St Francis by twice losing a lead and having two players sent-off in a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Monaghan United yesterday.

Anton Reilly gave Dundalk the lead on the stroke of half-time when shooting home a Paul Campbell pass from close range.

Monaghan came right back into the game in the second-half and equalised on 69 minutes through 18-year-old striker Paul Smyth.

John Flanagan restored Dundalk's lead five minutes later when scoring from a Campbell corner.

But that was as good as it got for Dundalk as the game turned completely against them.

Monaghan levelled again through Andy Myler on 77 minutes with Dundalk right-back John Whyte being sent-off within a minute for a professional foul on Paul Hall.

Myler then cut in from the left to score what proved the winner on 81 minutes before Dundalk's forgettable day was ended with the 88th minute sending off of Campbell for a second-bookable offence.

Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers took full advantage of Longford's defeat to go three points clear at the top courtesy of an emphatic 3-0 win away to Cobh Ramblers on Saturday.

Keith O'Connor appeared to have Longford in control when he collected a Richie Parsons ball to lob St Francis goalkeeper, Gareth Sutton, after 26 minutes at Strokestown Road.

But St Francis, fighting to avoid the re-election places, refused to lie down and hit back with late strikes from Micky Gahan and Gareth Lawson.