There was to be no fairytale climb to the top of the Premier Division for Longford Town when they were held to a draw in Ballybofey last night. Struggling Finn Harps broke the deadlock when Johnny Kenny volleyed to the net after only three minutes.

Longford drew level midway through the first half when Harps goalkeeper Gareth Downey fumbled Stewart Holt's free kick and Steve Gavin forced home the rebound.

Harps moved in front again 12 minutes after the break when Kenny grabbed his second after good work by Paddy McGrenaghan.

A spectacular Stewart Byrne effort on 74 minutes earned Longford a share of the spoils.

Finn Harps: Downey, Scanlon, Minnock, Fitzhenry, J Kenny, McGrenaghan, Mohan, Tierney, McHugh, Bradley, Harkin. Subs: Speak for McHugh (87 mins).

Longford Town: O'Brien, Kenny, Coyle, Byrne, Murphy, McNally, Holt, Notaro, Zellor, O'Connor, Gavin. Subs: Smith for Kenny (45 mins), Farrell for Gavin (63 mins), Perth for Holt (72 mins).

Referee: P Deering (Sligo).