There proved no separating Longford Town and Sligo Rovers in their Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash which was played in Flancare Park last Friday evening. Rovers made two changes from the side that played Derry with Seamus Coleman and Matthew Gordon in for the injured Brian Cash and the suspended Daniel Ventre.

It was the home side who started the better and after early chances from Damian Brennan and Mark Rutherford they took the lead in the 29th minute. Rutherford won the ball in midfield and slid it into the path of Dave Mooney who got goal-side of Gavin Peers and shot low past Richard Brush and into the bottom corner. Rovers made their one and only change soon after with Jamie McKenzie replacing Rafael Cretaro. Rovers did have the ball in the net just before half time as Longford keeper Shay Kelly parried a shot from Adam Hughes and Matthew Gordon was on hand to head in the loos ball only for it to be ruled offside.

Four minutes into the second half and the sides were nearly level as Coleman broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Matthew Judge whose first time shot was turned round the post by Kelly. The Bit O'Red did draw level in the 61st minute thanks to some great play from Fahrudin Kudozovic who beat his marker on the left came inside and played a great diagonal ball finding Hughes in space in the box. He went on to turn Sean Prunty before drilling the ball low past Kelly. Longford could have retaken the lead in the 76th minute when Dessie Baker played a 1-2 inside the box with Mooney before taking a shot which Brush just got enough on to take the ball away from goal. Hughes had another late chance for Rovers but his shot from inside the box was blocked and it finished honours even. Next up for Rovers is a home game against UCD. It finished in Flancare Park Longford Town 1, Sligo Rovers 1.

Longford Town: Shay Kelly, Ian Ryan, Sean Prunty, Damian Brennan, Kevin Doherty, Collie James, Gary Deegan, John Reilly (Dave Freeman 71), Dave Mooney, Dessie Baker, Mark Rutherford (Jamie Duffy 57).
Not Used: Daire Doyle, Dave Freeman, Mick Dempsey.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Rafael Cretaro (Jamie McKenzie 33), Keith Foy, Gavin Peers, Seamus Coleman, Conor O'Grady, Mark Boyd, Adam Hughes, Matthew Judge, Fahrudin Kudozovic, Matthew Gordon.
Not Used: Gary Curran, Levin Tierney, James Meredith, Tomislav Arcaba.

Courtesy Ocean FM.