Longford Town 0 Bray Wanderers 0:FIRST DIVISION strugglers Longford Town were under constant pressure at Flancare Park on Saturday night but managed to hold out for a scoreless draw against Bray Wanderers in this FAI Cup quarter-final.
Bray are currently bottom of the Premier Division table but were in control against the midlanders who survived many anxious moments to earn a replay at the Carlisle Grounds tomorrow night.
However, the home side almost snatched a shock victory in the second minute of stoppage time when striker Liam Lynch shot over the bar.
Longford keeper Danny O’Leary came to the rescue with less than two minutes gone, parrying a deflected Dane Massey cross against the post.
Gary McCabe had a shot well saved by O’Leary in the 25th minute and just before the break there was no offside flag as Bray striker Jake Kelly was clean through but blasted over.
Longford continued to live dangerously and when Bray defender Derek Foran’s close-range header deflected against the underside of the crossbar in the 52nd minute, Dane Massey drove the rebound straight at the Longford keeper.
Even when Bray substitute John Mulroy was clean through in the 88th minute, his shot was blocked down by the outstanding Longford Town stopper, who certainly played a huge part in preventing a defeat for Gareth Cronin’s committed side.
LONGFORD TOWN: O’Leary; Kenny, McCarthy, Cronin, McCartney; King, Gough, Jinks, Lee; Lynch, Murphy. Subs: Glynn for Murphy (inj., 78 mins); Curran for King (84 mins).
BRAY WANDERERS: O’Connor; Pender, Brennan, Foran, Cronin; McCabe, Mulcahy, Shields, Massey; Flood, Kelly. Subs: Mulroy for Flood (66 mins); O’Neill for Kelly (82 mins).
Referee: D Tomney.
Tomorrow night’s FAI Cup Replays
Bray Wanderers v Longford
St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford United
Shamrock Rovers v Sporting Fingal
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians
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