Longford Town out of UEFA Cup
Thursday, 23 August 2001 22:46Longford Town keeper Stephen O'Brien's brave resistance was finally broken in injury-time as the Irish side went out of the UEFA Cup to Liteks Lovech after losing 2-0 tonight. The former Gillingham stopper defied the Bulgarian side with a series of superb saves to keep his team in with a chance of booking their place in tomorrow's draw for the first-round proper.
But as Longford surged forward they were twice caught on the break in stoppage time with Zoran Yankovich taking full advantage to score both times. The first qualifying round tie would have been well over by that stage if it was not for the heroics of O'Brien, who saved three times in the first half when faced with one-on-ones.
He continued his man-of-the-match performance after the break but Irish hearts were finally broken one minute into injury time when Yankovich scored from the rebound after the 29-year-old keeper had pulled off another great save.
Stephen Gavin had a great opportunity to force extra-time for the Eircom League side a minute later, but the midfielder could not convert from the edge of the six-yard area. The miss was to prove costly and Longford's fate was sealed when from the ensuing counter-attack, the home side won a penalty which was converted by Yankovich.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
