Dublin City 0 Longford Town 2:  Goals in each half from Dave Mooney and Stephen Paisley earned Longford a first away win of the season as Dublin City's inconsistency - which manager Dermot Keely bemoaned in his programme notes - struck again at Dalymount Park last night.

Suspension and injuries forced Dublin into three changes from their encouraging 2-2 draw in Drogheda midweek, but that scarcely appeared to disrupt them early on as they started well and might have been in front on nine minutes.

Mark Rooney did well to cross in from the left and David Freeman availed of a defender slipping to fire across goal with the backtracking Alan Kirby putting the ball out for the first corner of the night.

Unchanged Town were a little sluggish in defence again within three minutes when Gavin McDonnell got in a firm header from Mick O'Donnell's free kick that flashed just wide of Shay Kelly's left-hand post.

That all counted for nothing, though, as Dublin's poor defending precipitated their falling behind to Longford first meaningful attack of the night on 17 minutes.

Mooney knocked down Steven Gough's ball forward for Dean Fitzgerald. The big midfielder set up Mooney who rifled to the net for his third goal in successive matches.

Dublin fell further behind on 65 minutes. Gary Rogers had to make a good save at the feet of the lively Mooney a minute before after Sean Prunty played him in on goal.

Seconds later Dublin conceded a corner they were punished from. Gough's well flighted corner was met by central defender Paisley whose powerful header gave Rogers no chance.

DUBLIN CITY: Rogers; Brennan, Keely (Davey, 86 mins), Whelehan, Doyle; Pender, McDonnell, Crowley, O'Donnell (O'Neill, 71 mins); Freeman (Markey, 81 mins), Rooney.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Gough, Doherty, Paisley, Prunty; Kirby (J Martin, 85 mins), O'Connor, Fitzgerald, Cronin; Baker (R Martin, 83 mins), Mooney (Myler, 88 mins).

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).