A failure to fire in front of goal saw Dundalk lose further ground in the eircom League of Ireland First Division title race on Thursday night, as they were held to a scoreless draw by Longford Town at Oriel Park. This latest slip-up by the Lilywhites, who had a five-point advantage at the summit just two weeks ago, was again capitalised upon by Shelbourne, who beat Monaghan 2-0 at Tolka Park. However, John Gill’s men remain second as Waterford were also held at home to Athlone.
 
In front of a very disappointing crowd, Dundalk, just as on Friday, dominated in the possession stakes for long periods, and had numerous chances to take the lead throughout the ninety minutes. After Robbie Farrell’s early off-target effort, returning right-back John Flanagan headed against the post on the quarter-hour, before Jamie Duffy was denied by a fine stop from Cooley goalkeeper, Neil Gallagher. And, it was the former Lilywhite who pulled off the save of the night on 69 minutes, as he somehow kept out David Cassidy’s powerful 15-yard shot, a stop which ultimately earned his team a point.
 
For the game, Gill made two changes to the starting XI which drew 0-0 in Monaghan on Friday night. Captain and centre-half Aidan Lynch was withdrawn from the line-up due to sickness, and was joined on the sidelines by Paul Marney, who was dropped in favour of star player, David Cassidy. Defender John Flanagan also came back into the team after a troubling ankle injury, with the 29-year-old replacing Ian Ryan, who took Lynch’s place alongside Whelehan in the heart of the defence.
 
Dundalk again started brightly, and should have taken the lead after only a couple of minutes. Robbie Farrell was put through on goal, however, with just Gallagher to beat from the edge of the area, the striker dragged his shot wide of the target. Longford too had chances in the opening period, and they went close to breaking the deadlock after nine minutes, as central midfielder Daire Doyle - recalled to the team after being dropped at the weekend - shot narrowly wide after being set-up by the lively Gary Murphy.
 
The visitors had another opening minutes later, however, it was again off-target as Murphy shot wide after being put through by Darren McKenna. And, Longford should have been made to pay for that miss within sixty seconds. Farrell forced the foul, with David Crawley’s resulting free-kick being met by Flanagan, whose powerful effort crashed back off the upright. Duffy then saw his shot from inside the area blocked away following another Crawley set-piece, before the Texas-born star went even closer moments later as his 18-yard shot was gathered at the second attempt by Gallagher.
 
The hosts continued to forage forward in search of the lead goal, and they almost got it either side of the half-hour mark. Firstly, Cassidy split the Longford defence with a beautiful pass through to Duffy. However, the 24-year-old was again denied by the netminder, who did well to hold the ball. Soon after, Dundalk were on the front foot once more, as Farrell headed narrowly over following a Crawley cross from the left. That proved to be the Lilywhites’ last meaningful effort on goal before the break, as the sides retired level.
 
Following the resumption, Dundalk set about finding a quick response to their half-time team-talk, and they nearly found it on 49 minutes. A Crawley delivery was palmed away by Gallagher only as far as Mulvenna, who, from the edge of the area, lifted his attempted lob over the bar. From thereon, the home side struggled to break down a fully manned defence, as Longford rarely ventured out of their own half. In one of those few attacks, Doyle saw a long-range free whistle past the post, before Dundalk twice came close within the space of four minutes.
 
On 66, Flanagan - who overcame a troubling ankle injury to start the game - tried to do it all on his own from the back, as he raided forward and unleashed a 30-yard piledriver. However, the 29-year-old was thwarted by his ex-team-mate, as Gallagher got down well to push the ball behind. And, not long after, the local ‘keeper was at it again, as he miraculously saved from Cassidy. A neat move involving substitute Robbie Martin and Tiarnàn Mulvenna created the opening for the midfielder, however, despite doing everything right, he saw his powerful effort stopped by a terrific one-handed save.
 
Indeed, it could have got even worse for Dundalk following that, as they were lucky not to fall behind on 74 minutes as Longford broke quickly. A long diagonal cross-field ball from Murphy caused Ian Ryan difficulties and set winger Iarfhlaith Davoren free on goal. However, with Bennion the last line of defence, the Scot, as has so often been the case, came to his side’s rescue yet again, as he smothered the ball at the feet of the youngster. Despite that let-off, the hosts couldn’t find a priceless winner in the remainder of the game, and they now must look forward to Friday’s trip to Wexford.
 
dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: CHRIS BENNION (Dundalk)…his vital save on 74 minutes almost certainly spared Dundalk from defeat.
 
Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; John Flanagan (Paul Marney 82), Ben Whelehan, Ian Ryan, David Crawley; Jamie Duffy (Trevor Vaughan 80), David Cassidy, Paul Crowley, Davie O’Connor; Robbie Farrell (Robbie Martin 59), Tiarnán Mulvenna.
Booked: I Ryan (54), D Crawley (72).
Subs Not Used: Paul Smyth, Paul Shiels.
 
Longford Town (4-5-1): Neil Gallagher; Ryan O’Donnell, Ronan Frawley, Andy Bermingham, Ryan Casey; Gary Murphy, Luke Hardy, Daire Doyle, Damien Rushe, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Darren McKenna.
Subs Not Used: Jimmy Hussey, Daithi Garry, Alan O’Riordan, Alan Lynch, Brian Kelly.
 
Referee: Rob Rodgers (Dublin).
Attendance: Approx. 700.