Bohemians 0 Longford Town 0:Having sidestepped league action last weekend to secure their FAI Cup final ticket, Longford returned to the coalface last night. The ice-cold hands of relegation still clutch tight around their neck, but they at least bring the fight to the final weekend.

Their durability since the six-point deduction earlier in the season has been most impressive, and fittingly they are afforded another crack at top-flight survival.

Bottom-of-the-table rivals Waterford still have a telling hand to play, however, as just three points separate the sides. Crucially, though, Longford's goal difference is considerably healthier.

Longford travelled in the knowledge that defeat would all but terminate their stay. With that in mind their attitude early on was exemplary as they tenaciously set about their hosts.

They played with tremendous enthusiasm and drive, regularly forcing Bohemians on the back foot. But, frustrating for the travelling support, cohesion was lacking in the final third and promising positions were often squandered.

Stephen O'Donnell and Kevin Hunt proved an impressive pairing for Bohemians in midfield and orchestrated much of their team's best work. Chris Turner, too, was a willing accomplice on the right, but, playing out of position, he lacked true penetration when attempting to breach the defence.

Glen Crowe did threaten late in the half but, having collected Turner's pass, he steered inches wide of the post with goalkeeper Séamus Kelly isolated.

By that stage the hosts were the ones dictating both pace and direction but, like their opponents, were left ruing indecisiveness high up field.

Crowe should have put Bohemians ahead a minute after the restart. A sweeping move initiated from deep allowed Fergal Harkin cross for the striker but Kelly saved at his feet.

Chasing their opponents from one side of the pitch to the next took its toll on Longford. Bohemians spent most of the remainder camped in their opponents half and Longford were certainly leg weary getting forward when afforded an opportunity.

Still, they mustered a revival of sorts late on. Although Daire Doyle and Gary Deegan stepped up their output from midfield, neither Mooney nor Dessie Baker could capitalise on through balls.

Perhaps they were saving their best work for next weekend's do-or-die showdown with Derry.

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Rossiter, Burns, McGuinness, Byrne; Turner, O'Donnell (Kelly 71 mins), Hunt, Harkin; Mansaram (Fenn 50 mins, Heary 85 mins), Crowe.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Sullivan, Brennan, Doherty, Prunty; Duffy, Deegan, Doyle, Martin; Baker, Mooney. Booked: Mooney (69).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork)