Shamrock Rovers ... 3 Longford Town ... 2:  In the end it didn't matter, courtesy of UCD's win in Cork, but Shamrock Rovers added some nervous late tension to their rollercoaster ride of a season as they finally ended it on the high of finishing third in the table to clinch the InterToto Cup place.

A dramatic finale brought three goals and a sending off, and Rovers needed a last-minute penalty from Trevor Molloy to ease their nerves as Longford scored twice inside a minute to level the match, having appeared beaten.

A dour match was slow to come to life, and Rovers had to work hard to earn their 1-0 interval lead.

The goal didn't come until stoppage time at the end of the half. Longford twice failed to clear their lines and Jason Colwell set up Stephen Grant, whose low drive from just outside the area flew low past goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien.

The second half was an improvement with Rovers appearing to seal the win they required with an excellent goal on 58 minutes.

Two Longford defenders collided to give Molloy a run at what remained of their defence and he set up Shane Robinson to score with a low drive past O'Brien.

But then Eric Lavine scored with a terrific strike into the top of the Rovers net on 86 minutes, and within a minute 17-year-old Adrian Murphy, on for his debut just four minutes earlier, side-footed home after a Sean Francis back heel set up the chance.

Then Longford captain Vinny Perth handled on the line.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Horgan; Gough, McGuinness, Palmer, Keddy; Robinson, Colwell, Tracey, S Grant; Hunt (A Grant 77 mins), Molloy.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Dillon (Alan Murphy 64 mins), Ferguson, Silke, John; Lavine, Sheridan (Adrian Murphy 84 mins), Perth, Kirby; Francis, Barrett (Mulvihill 54 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)