SHELBOURNE, Limerick and Monaghan United all maintained their promotion challenges with victories.

Limerick FC 1 Longford Town 0

Denis Behan scored a precious stoppage time winner - his sixth goal in five league games - to keep Limerick in the promotion hunt.

Limerick gradually got on top after a tight opening with Shaun Kelly bringing a good stop from Alvin Rouse in the Town goal shortly before half-time.

Skipper Pat Purcell and midfield ace Joe Gamble had chances in the second half as Town continue to hold out.

Even when Town had defender Pat Deans sent off late on they looked like they could scrape a point until Behan broke the deadlock, much to the relief of the home crowd.

With two minutes up in added time, Sean Brosnan and Rory Gaffney worked the ball to Behan who beat Rouse at the back post.

 

Mervue United 0 Shelbourne 2

Philly Hughes's 15th goal of the season helped edge Shelbourne nine points clear at the top of the First Division table.

Left back Lorcan Fitzgerald put Shels in front four minutes before the interval with a brilliant free kick over the wall and past keeper Ger Hanley.

Striker Hughes sealed the win four minutes from time when slotting home a penalty awarded for a handball.

 

Monaghan United 3 Salthill Devon 0

A stunning goal from Eric Foley was the highlight as Monaghan United maintained their promotion push with this comfortable win over bottom side Satlhill who finished with ten men.

Monaghan led from the eighth minute when Jordan Keegan headed home Sean Brennan's free-kick.

Midfielder Foley then struck on 26 minutes to double the lead with a terrific shot that gave Ronan Burke no chance after good approach play by Brennan's Ryan and Sean.

Devon were reduced to ten men on the hour when defender Luke McConnell was sent off for a foul on Foley, his second bookable offence.

Sean Brennan added Monaghan's third goal on 74 minutes with a low drive past Burke.

The win moves Monaghan up to second in the table overnight.

 

Waterford United 0 Finn Harps 0

Waterford had defender Michael Coady sent off late on as they had to settle for a point from this scoreless draw with Finn Harps at the RSC.

Coady was dismissed on 87 minutes for a second booking.

Harps had been the better side in the first half with chances falling for Kevin McHugh and Stephen O'Donnell.

Waterford improved after the break with Paul Phelan having a dangerous cross blocked by Packie Mailey while central defender Kevin Murray had a header cleared off the line by Barry O'Mahoney.