Longford Town 1-1 Athlone Town

A goal apiece late on ensured that midland neighbours Longford and Athlone shared the spoils in Flancare Park following this entertaining tussle.

Longford started brightly and should have been in front after four minutes when a superb run from Darren McKenna saw him skip past a few defenders before being denied by a great save from Ciaran Kelly.

However, Athlone will feel that they should have scored themselves just two minutes later. Eric Lavine latched onto a long clearance from Des Hope only to see his attempted lob skim the crossbar.

Stephen Gough was next to try his luck in the 18th minute. The home defender had a pop form 30 yards out but his effort was well over Kelly’s crossbar.

Longford continued to press forward. McKenna and Jason Oladele did well to dispossess Ian Rossiter in the 24th minute. However, McKenna’s shot did not unduly stretch Kelly, who made an easy save.

Another half-chance came McKenna’s way in the 40th minute. However, the striker was well off target from a tight angle.

Athlone improved greatly in the second half. A fine move almost saw them hit the front in the 58th minute. Substitute Johnny Mernagh played an inch-perfect cross into the path of Nigel Keady whose fine effort was narrowly over the crossbar.

Another chance came the way of Athlone in the 64th minute. Eric Lavine benefited from a succession of mistakes from Stephen Brennan and Alan O’Riordan before rifling his effort just left of Neil Gallagher’s post.

Longford first attempt on goal in the second half arrived in the 69th minute. Longford’s main scoring threat, McKenna, got free on the right hand side of the area and his fine shot was well saved by Kelly.

However, there was little Kelly could do about Longford’s goal in the 75th minute when a free kick from Shane Harte flew straight into the net after the keeper was distracted by Alan O’Riordan.

Athlone were not to be denied, however, and a sublime 86th minute volley from Colm Jinks saw them pick up a well-merited share of the spoils.

Longford Town: Gallagher; Gough, Doyle, Brennan, O’Riordan; Murphy (Lynch 32, Garry 87), Harte, Hardy, Rushe, Oladele (Butler 84); McKenna.

Athlone Town: Kelly; Rossiter, Hope, Keady, Hamm; Russo (Mernagh 57), Reilly, Jinks, Maloney (O’Dowd 71); Lavine, McGee.

Referee: D Coombes (Kildare)