SHANE Long ended an 18-game goal drought on Sunday, but a positive night turned soured because of an injury. 

The Saints striker opened the scoring in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying victory in Moldova.

Long netted in only the second minute of his country’s 3-1 success.

After Moldova had levelled, James McLean sealed the Republic’s triumph with two goals in the space of seven second half minutes.

Long had entered the game having failed to score in his previous ten league and cup games for his club and in his last eight appearances for his country.

The 29-year-old's last goal for Saints came in the 4-2 home win over Manchester City on May 1, and his last goal for Ireland was against Holland in a pre-Euro 2016 friendly the same month.

The former Hull City man hobbled off just past the hour mark for Callum O'Dowda.