National League Premier Division/Longford Town 0 Drogheda United 0: Fresh from their heroic midweek European performance against HJK Helsinki, Drogheda United came back down to earth with a bang following this grim, scoreless draw in Flancare Park.
Drogheda, unfortunately, showed all the signs of their midweek exertions as they failed to capture any semblance of their early-season form.
It was a game in which only glimpses of quality football were on offer from either side.
However, the visitors will feel they left two points behind them as they dominated midfield and reduced Longford to one decent opportunity over the whole 90 minutes.
Longford gave a debut to striker David Freeman (signed from the now defunct Dublin City), but he found the going tough against the resolute visitors's defence before being substituted in the final quarter.
The men from the Wee County held all the aces early on. Twice they should have broken the deadlock and on both occasions the chances fell to Tony Grant.
However, Longford goalkeeper Mick Dempsey did well to keep his net intact and to foil the striker's efforts.
Longford should have gone in front on the half hour when they created a glorious opportunity.
Dessie Baker wriggled his way towards goal but somehow managed to squeeze his effort wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.
The second half was only three minutes old when Drogheda had another chance to make their superiority count.
Paul Keegan's free kick was merely inches away from giving the visitors the lead.
Longford received a lucky break in the 73rd minute.
Shane Robinson's thunderous strike had Dempsey all at sea. However, the ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper before spilling to safety.
LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey; Murphy, Gough, O'Connor, Prunty; Baker, Fitzgerald, Byrne (Cronin 72 mins), Kirby; Freeman (Mooney 80), R. Martin (Doherty 88).
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Webb, Gartland, Gavin, Shelley; Robinson, Lynch, Keegan, Whelan; Fitzpatrick (Zayed 60 mins), Grant (Barrett 67 mins).
Referee: R Winter (Dublin)
