League Cup Semi-final: Longford Town reached the Eircom League Cup final for the second season on the trot when they ended Finn Harps' 13 match unbeaten run at Finn Park.
A lively Finn Harps set the early pace but it was Longford who broke the deadlock in their first real attack with 18 minutes gone on the clock.
Dessie Baker took the ball from Tony Gorman in the middle of the field and played Seán Prunty through down the left flank.
Prunty crossed to the unmarked Seán Francis and with the Harps keeper, James Gallagher, stranded, Francis coolly slotted the ball home.
Longford could have doubled their advantage in the final minutes of the half but a long-range effort from Darragh Sheridan hit the crossbar with the Harps keeper beaten.
The Town eventually scored a second in the 54th minute when Harps keeper Gallagher spilled a shot from Dessie Baker and the Longford striker accepted the gift at the second attempt and directed the ball over the line from a tight angle.
However, Harps were thrown a lifeline just two minutes later when a left-wing cross from Paddy McGreanaghan was rifled home by Kevin McHugh at the near post.
Harps substitute Michael Funston had a chance to level matters but he blasted the ball over the bar from a great scoring position late in the game.
This was a welcome win for Longford Town on the back of some poor performances in the league and a timely boost for the UEFA Cup second leg at home to Liechtenstein outfit FC Badus next week.
FINN HARPS: Gallagher; Assokuh, Boyle, Bradley, Minnock, Crossan, Gorman, Mohan, McGreanaghan, McHugh, Breen. Subs: Funston for Crossan (76 mins).
LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey; Murphy, Ferguson, Paisley, Dillon, Martin, Kirby, Sheridan, Prunty, Baker, Francis. Subs: Lavine for Francis (79 mins), Barrett for Martin (83 mins), Perth for Baker (88 mins).
