Longford Town - 1 Finn Harps - 0National League: Longford Town will carry a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg of the promotion/ relegation play-off against Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Tuesday night.
The all-important goal was fired home in the sixth minute by Fergal Coleman at Flancare Park.
A throw-in from Alan Reynolds broke at the feet of Coleman deep inside the box and he turned quickly in creating the room for a shot that was dispatched to the net, the ball evading the grasp of Harps goalkeeper John Connolly at the near post.
Longford Town had other chances of extending their lead during the remainder of the first half and were denied a penalty in the 33rd minute when Fergal Coleman was upended in the box by Harps central defender Shane Bradley but referee Dick O'Hanlon waved play on.
Stuart Holt twice went close from an inswinging corner and a powerfully struck free-kick.
Harps almost got back on level terms in the final minute of the first half when Coleman blocked a point-blank shot from Ray Kenny.
Harps, who finished runners-up to first division champions Drogheda United, had much the better of the exchanges in the second half with the advantage of strong wind and almost grabbed the equaliser in the 50th minute. A dipping shot from the boot of Kevin McHugh was deflected but the agile Stephen O'Brien made a marvellous save.
Other chances fell to Brendan Devenney and Johnny Kenny but Longford held out for a somewhat fortunate victory at the finish.
Two players were sent off in the closing stages of the game, Harps defender Ray Kenny received a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on Alan Kirby in the 74th minute and in the 88th minute substitute Keith O'Connell was shown a straight red card after getting caught in a tangle with Paddy McGrenaghan.
LONGFORD TOWN: S O'Brien, S Holt, P McNally, S Kelly, W Byrne, A Kirby, A Reynolds, S Byrne, M Byrne, E Lavine, F Coleman. Subs: S Zellor for M Byrne (54 mins); K O'Connor for Kirby (inj 80 mins).
FINN HARPS: J Connolly, R Kenny, D Boyle, S Bradley, S Sweeney, J Kenny, T Mohan, N Fitzhenry, P McGrenaghan, K McHugh, B Devenney.
Referee: Dick O'Hanlon (Waterford)
