National League/Longford Town 0 Shelbourne 0: Despite the luxury of welcoming back Jason Byrne, who replaced the injured Glen Crowe, Shelbourne could not find a way past a gutsy Longford in Flancare Park last night.

Davy Byrne and Danny O'Connor returned from suspension for a Longford side unlucky to draw in Turner's Cross on Friday night and the home side fough gamely throughout to secure a point.

Joseph Ndo should have put the visitors in front in the first minute. He just failed to connect with Gary O'Neill's cross with an empty goal at his mercy, while just four minutes later Jason Byrne was denied when goalkeeper Shay Kelly saved well with his feet.

Despite having Owen Heary and Dave Rogers back in defence, Shelbourne were almost caught napping in the 11th minute when Damian Brennan narrowly missed the target with a close-range header from Stephen Gough's corner kick.

Longford shaded proceedings in the second half. They went close in the 55th minute when Gough tried his luck from 35 yards and watched his effort whiz just over Steve Williams' crossbar.

Again, just 13 minutes later, a fine move culminated with Robbie Martin having a chance but his effort was blocked by former Longford player Seán Dillon.

Shelbourne could have stolen a winner near the end when Stuart Byrne almost got on the end of Richie Baker's through ball.

But that would have been rough justice on the home side who have bounced back well from their cup humiliation in Inchicore.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Murphy, Paisley, O'Connor, Prunty; Gough, Byrne, Kirby, Prunty; Freeman, R Martin.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Ryan (Moore 73), Ndo, S Byrne, Cahill; O'Neill (Baker 73), J Byrne.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).