Longford Town emerged with more credit than championship contenders Cork City from a poor match at Turner's Cross yesterday.

A win would have put Cork City clear of the rest at the head of the table, but they never looked the part as they were held with a degree of comfort by a more hard-working and committed Longford Town.

Longford manager Stephen Kenny conceded that Cork had the better of the match, but he was also full of praise for his own players.

"A draw was not an injustice for us, a lot of people tipped us to go down after being promoted last season, but we are a good side and we are going to get better," he said.

Cork City manager Derek Mountfield said Cork's poor performance was in keeping with his ill-luck this past week as his wife was involved in a car crash a few days ago and he returns to England today to deal with the issue.

"It was a very poor performance and well below what I expect from my team.

"We couldn't pass the ball, we couldn't keep it moving and although I had a rant and rave in the dressing-room at half-time, the second half was no better," said Mountfield.

Longford created the better chances in the course of the 90 minutes, but in the three minutes added on at the end for injuries and substitutions, Cork almost snatched all three points when they created three quick-fire chances.

The best of those followed a corner from substitute Colin O'Brien which fell in a crowded goalmouth one minute into added time. Stephen Napier succeeded in finding space to get in a clean strike and although the ball beat the defence it rebounded to safety of his colleague, Pat Morley, who was standing on the goal-line.

Mountfield, who saw recent signing James Mulligan fail to make an impact, said he intends to strengthen his team with some more new signings, but first he will have to deal with a possible disciplinary issue.

Mark Herrick exchanged words on the touchline with the manager when he was substituted and Mountfield said: "I was not happy with the incident, but it will be dealt with internally."

Cork City: Mooney; Horgan, Daly, Napier, Delaney; Flanagan (O'Brien 53), Herrick (O'Halloran 62), Cahill (Caulfield 75); Mulligan, Morley.

Longford Town: O'Brien; Murphy, Smyth, McNulty, W. Byrne; Gavin, S. Byrne, Holt (Perth 46), Notaro (Coyle 92); O'Connor, Zellor (Farrell 89).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).