A MISSED penalty just two minutes from time brought Cobh Ramblers' seven-match unbeaten run to an end as they lost 1-0 to Galway United at Terryland Park on Saturday night.

Galway goalkeeper, Eddie van Boxtel, criticised after last week's defeat to Athlone, dived the right way to save Packie Kelly's penalty after Ollie Neary had handled inside the area.

The result puts Galway joint third with Athlone, and Cobh. three points behind in sixth, in. a promotion race that is so wide open all of the top six look capable of remaining in contention until the end.

In yesterday's only game, Limerick failed to take their chances and had to settle for a 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Longford Town at Hogan Park, Rathbane.

Limerick appeared well on their way to ending an eight match losing sequence when they ran up a 2-0 lead two minutes into the second half.

Both goals were scored by Howie King, the first after 22 minutes when he rounded Longford goalkeeper, Mark Gilchrist, to score. He then capitalised on a mistake by Longford's Ronnie Murphy to score the second with a left foot shot from the edge of the box.

Only then did Longford come to life and Damien Dunleary pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when he shot past Eddie Hickey in the Limerick goal after Frank Darby headed on Eamonn Synnott's free-kick.

Longford equalised two minutes later when Dermot Lennon and Murphy set up Kleran Rooney to shoot past Hickey.

Limerick deserved to win it and should have done so a minute from the end, but Gareth Ryan headed over from Sean Byrne's free-kick when he should have found the target.