Shelbourne - 1 Longford Town - 1 Barry Ferguson put his penalty tribulations of last season behind him to earn Longford a point with an emphatic spot-kick equaliser to give their second-half revival its just reward.

The Longford captain had missed penalties in both the League Cup and FAI Cup finals of last season.

But he didn't shirk the responsibility when Dave Rogers and Jim Crawford combined to pull down Shane Barrett inside the area in the 70th minute and he blasted the ball high into net to reduce Shelbourne's lead to three points.

The clubs' contrasting starts to the season were reflected in their starting line-ups.

Shelbourne, fresh from their best display of the campaign, were unchanged while Longford, second bottom, made five changes in a very-much-reshuffled side, with several players playing out of position, notably the central midfield pairing of Alan Murphy and Alan Kirby.

The dormant front two of Barrett and Paul Keegan were dropped to the bench, with Dessie Baker partnering Sean Francis in attack.

It scarcely matter as Shelbourne found themselves in the ascendancy after just nine minutes. The goal was simplicity itself as Jason Byrne timed his run to perfection. The finish was sublime as the in-form striker's side-foot volley arrowed past Michael Dempsey, his sixth goal of the season.

Longford enjoyed a spell when they had some good possession without making any use of it before Shelbourne got on top.

Good wing play from Ollie Cahill down the left signalled Shelbourne's resurgence. Wes Hoolahan, a little surprised to receive the ball, shot tamely into the arms of Dempsey.

The Longford goalkeeper showed good reactions soon after to block a shot from Jason Byrne with his feet. Under the cosh now, Seán Dillon headed off the line from Wes Hoolahan's cross after working a short corner with Cahill.

A second goal should have come for Jason Byrne seven minutes before the break but he failed to make contact after captain Owen Heary put Stuart Byrne in to drill a low centre across the Longford goal.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Harris, Rogers, Crawley (Doherty, 83 mins); Hoolahan, S Byrne, Crawford, Hoolahan; J Byrne, Fitzpatrick (Rowe, 75 mins)

LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey; Dillon, Ferguson, Paisley, Gartland; Martin (Barrett, 79 mins), Kirby, Murphy, Byrne; Baker, Francis (Keegan, 86 mins)

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).