Longford hope better form will secure win v St Pat's

Bottom club Dublin City could well be the biggest losers when relegation rivals Longford Town and St Patrick’s Athletic meet at Flancare Park tonight (7.30pm).

The Vikings remain rooted to the foot of the table following defeat to Derry City on Thursday night and are eight points adrift of Longford and Pat’s going into tonight’s match, meaning whoever wins will widen the gap to 11 points between themselves and the single automatic drop spot.

Longford have the better form ahead of kick-off having arrested their slide down the table with a 1-0 win at Waterford last week and manager Alan Matthews sees the return from suspension of Sean Dillon.

Former Manchester City and Irish youth international Stephen Paisley is ruled out, though. He has failed to recover from a turned ankle and not only misses tonight’s match but also the Irish Under-21 friendly with Bulgaria next Tuesday night.

St Pat’s are set to hand a debut to winger Mark Quinless, who was signed on loan yesterday from league leaders Drogheda United. Pat’s boss Johnny McDonnell is definitely without veteran midfielder Paul Osam due to a knee injury while right-back Stephen Quigley is doubtful with a groin problem.