A welcome return, and an even more welcome goal, by John Carroll restored Drogheda United to the top of the First Division table after they had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Monaghan United yesterday.

Former youth international Carroll, who had been out injured since mid-September, equalised with a 66th minute header after Monaghan had failed to clear a free-kick from Greg O'Dowd.

Central defender Carroll would probably not have played at all had it not been for a flu epidemic at Drogheda which meant they were without five first-team regulars.

Monaghan took advantage of Drogheda's getting-to-know-you start to take the lead after 21 minutes when Colm Notaro skipped past a couple of tackles up the left to cross for Niall Malone to head home his first goal for the club.

Kilkenny City twice had to come from behind to earn a point from a 2-2 draw with Longford Town at Buckley Park on Saturday night, a result of precious little use to either side as they try to keep pace with the leaders.

Longford at least ended a run of four successive defeats as they took the game to Kilkenny in a frantic first half.

Paul Perth headed them in front from a Wesley Byrne corner after 17 minutes. Trevor Vaughan equalised for Kilkenny five minutes later, shooting home his ninth league goal of the season from a free-kick.

Not to be outdone, Longford captain Byrne then restored his side's lead with an equally adept free-kick from 30 yards. Kilkenny were level again two minutes later when Vaughan played Paul Cashin through to score.

Kilkenny had most of the play in the second half but failed to find a way through, leaving the field at the end angered at not receiving a late penalty after teenage striker Michael Reddy appeared to have been fouled inside the box.