Longford Town 0-0 Bray Wanderers

Despite dominating from start to finish, Bray Wanderers had to settle for an FAI Cup quarter-final replay against First Division Longford.

With Chris O'Connor not having to make a save of any real note, the home goal led a charmed life.

Home goalkeeper Danny O'Leary made a number of saves to deny Gary McCabe, Dane Massey, Derek Pender and John Mulroy at Flancare Park.

It means that the clubs must do it again on Tuesday at the Carlisle Grounds.

Serving the first of a two-match touchline ban, Bray boss Eddie Gormley took his place in the stands alongside newly appointed Director of Football Pat Devlin.

That saw assistant boss Anthony 'Bo' McKeever take charge of team affairs from the dug-out.

The visitors had one change from the side which beat Bohemians last week. With Chris Deans suspended, Stephen Brennan slotted into central defence.

As for the Midlanders, Brian McCarthy returned form a ban to replace the Cup-tied Jordan McMillan. Michael Lee also replaced Michael Foley.

The Seagulls started brightly and almost went ahead after just 90 minutes.

Dane Massey whipped in a cross from the left-wing which was diverted towards his own goal by Brian McCarthy.

O'Leary tipped the ball onto the post and then recovered to thwart John Flood off the loose ball just yards form the line.

Wanderers went close again on the quarter hour. Gary McCabe sent over a right wing cross that the unmarked Jake Kelly headed just over from ten yards out.

The Green and Whites continued to press forward and almost found the breakthrough in the 24th minute.

McCabe latched onto Massey's measured pass along the left flank. He turned inside and out before firing in a drive that O'Leary kept out with a fine parry.

Three minutes later, McCabe's flick saw the marauding Brennan hit a 25-yard drive that was deflected narrowly wide for a corner.

Five minutes before the interval, Massey's long through ball released Kelly. Looking suspiciously offside, the young striker blazed a half volley high and over from the edge of the box after getting behind the Town defence.

The trend of Wanderers' constant attacks continued in the second period.

Gary Cronin's lofted through ball in the 48th minute was left by Ray Kenny for O'Leary. But Flood nipped in only to the shoot over from 16 yards.

Bray were somehow denied the lead in the 53rd minute. From McCabe's corner, Derek Foran's back post header hit the bar amid claims it bounced down behind the line.

From the melee that followed in the penalty area, Derek Pender's drive through a ruck of players hit an unsighted O'Leary and was eventually cleared for a corner.

The Premier Division outfit should have won the tie in the 87th minute. Current FAI schools player-of-the-year John Mulroy was sent clear by Cronin despite cries for offside.

O'Leary stood up strong to block with legs with sub Shane O'Neill's follow-up being diverted wide by covering defenders.

Longford's only real opportunity arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Brian McCarthy managed to get a flick to a free-kick inside the box which Liam Lynch blasted over.

Longford Town: 1 Danny O'Leary; 2 Ray Kenny, 3 Jason McCartney, 4 Brian McCarthy, 5 Kevin Cronin; 8 Tom King (14 Garry Curran 85 mins), 6 Stephen Gough, 7 Colm Jinks, 11 Michael Lee; 9 Adrian Murphy (12 Derek Glynn 79 mins), 10 Liam Lynch.

Subs not used: 15 Dean Clarke, 16 Aaron Shanahan, 17 Carmine Russo, 18 Shane O'Brien, 19 Eoin Hoare.

Bray Wanderers: 1 Chris O'Connor; 2 Derek Pender, 4 Derek Foran, 5 Stephen Brennan, 3 Gary Cronin; 11 Gary McCabe, 6 Dave Mulcahy, 8 Chris Shields, 7 Dane Massey; 9 Jake Kelly (12 Shane O'Neill 83 mins), 10 John Flood (14 John Mulroy 66 mins).

Subs not used: 15 Daire Doyle, 16 Dave Webster, 17 David O'Neill, 18 Ian Tuohy, 25 Brian Kane.

Booked: Shield 90 + 1

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).