FINN HARPS are out of the FAI Cup after losing a game they should have won.
Mark Salmon fired home the only goal of the game eight minutes from time to move Longford Town into the fourth round.
Against the run of play with Harps looking the most likely to make a breakthrough, Longford were awarded a controversial penalty and despite Ciaran Gallagher getting down well to save Salmon’s spot-kick the Town midfielder was quickest to react and he forced home the rebound.
Harps were the better team throughout in front of just 250 fans at a rain soaked Finn Park.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Paddy McLaughlin, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Mark Forker, Aaron McElwee, Thomas Bonner, Gareth Harkin; Marc Brolly; Garbhan Friel. Sub: Blaine Curtis for Friel (74 mins).
Subs not used: James Doherty, Christy Connaghan, Oisin McMenamin, Aaron O’Hagan, Christopher Patton.
Booked: McElwee (34), Friel (74), McLaughlin (88).
Longford Town: Alvin Rouse; Chris Deans, Des Hope, Paddy Collins, Gary Cronin; Craig Walsh, Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon; Lee Roache, Austin Skelly, Don Cowan. Subs: Jason Oladele for Skelly (25 mins); Paul Hunt for Rouse (28 mins); Daniel O’Reilly for Cowan (82 mins).
Subs not used: Niall O’Reilly, Aidan Roache, Darren Carberry, Peter Sczcerbowski.
Booked: Collins (7), Walsh (39), Oladele (45), Salmon (72).
Referee: John McLaughlin (Athlone).
