Kildare County's Kieran Kilduff missed two guilt-edged chances to break the deadlock in as his side drew with Longford Town in a tame affair at Flancare Park.
Kilduff missed a penalty in the first half before later hitting the bottom of Shay Kelly's post when one-on-one with the Town 'keeper.
The first half did little to warm the 500-strong home supporters. Gary Murphy blasted an early chance wide of the post in the opening minute, while Cathal Brady curled a fifth minute effort wide of the Town goal.
The goal the game was crying out for nearly arrived in the 41st minute when Kildare were awarded a penalty. A ball over the top put Kilduff in space and he set Cathal Brady clear.
Longford's Damien Rushe battled back to tackle, but obstructed the Kildare man inside the area and left referee Tom Connolly with no choice but to award the penalty.
Connolly took a lenient view of the Town midfielder's tackle, opting for a booking rather than reaching for a red card. Kilduff took the resulting kick but his well-placed shot was turned around the post by Kelly.
The second half was a livelier affair, with chances at either end.
The best opportunity for the home side arrived in the 68th minute when Daire Doyle saw his shot from in side the box superbly tipped over the bar by Charlie Treacy.
Gary Murphy and Ronan Frawley also had chances for Longford, but it was Kildare who will feel that they should have gone home with all three points.
In the 77th minute, Kilduff squandered a guilt-edged chance when substitute John Broderick put him clear behind the Town defence. With just the 'keeper to beat, his shot rebounded back off the post.
Frawley had a late chance to steal the points, but his header drifted wide of the upright.
Longford Town: Kelly, Hardy, Brennan, Frawley, Casey; Murphy (Kelch, 86 mins), Doyle (c), Rushe, Lynch, Davoren, McKenna (Barrett, 6).
Kildare County: Treacy; Clarke, Brophy, Donnelly, Clancy; Gorman, Fortune, Slattery (Broderick, 77 mins), Harte; Brady, Kilduff (Robinson, 90).
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).
