Drogheda Utd - 0 Longford Town - 1: A goal on half time from Longford's Seán Dillon dented Drogheda's title aspirations as the second-placed side were unable to retake top spot despite controlling most of the second half. The closest United came to an equaliser was in injury-time when Seán McClare's shot was tipped to safety by goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien. From the corner McClare headed narrowly over.

Longford's Alan Kirby drove wide from 18 yards after nine minutes and six minutes later Eric Lavine beat Danny O'Connor to the ball but John Flanagan came from nowhere to block the shot.

Just beyond the half hour Seán Prunty saw his shot from 25 yards deflected wide. With the half drawing to a close the visitors struck for the opening goal. Philip Keogh floated a free into the Drogheda box from the right for Seán Dillon to power a header to the net. In added time Longford's Dessie Baker headed over.

The second half was the opposite of the opening 45 minutes with Drogheda making all the running. With just two minutes gone Gavin Whelan headed narrowly over and then John Lester swung a free round the visitors' wall but into the arms of O'Brien.

Drogheda continued to push forward with Gary Cronin shooting wide on 52 minutes and 15 minutes later he grazed the post. With the game drawing to a conclusion Dillon got a vital block on Cronin's goal-bound effort and Declan O'Brien popped up with seven minutes remaining to head over the bar.

On the final whistle substitute Paul Keegan should have made it two for Longford when he drove over. Lavine was then denied by Rogers. The final two chances fell to McClare who just couldn't find the target.

DROGHEDA: Rogers, Flanagan, Sandvlit, O'Connor (Sullivan, 57 mins), Gray, Lester, Whelan, McClare, O'Brien, Bird (Rooney, 62), Reilly (Cronin, 37), Sullivan for O'Connor 57.

LONGFORD: O'Brien, Murphy, Prunty, Perth, Dillon, Gartland, Kirby, Keogh, Lavine, Baker (Keegan, 85), Barrett.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).