Longford go close

An experimental St Patrick's Athletic got the fright of their lives as they needed extra-time and penalties to see off the challenge of First Division Longford Town and join Shamrock Rovers in the semi-finals of the League Cup after a hugely enjoyable game at Richmond Park last night.

A crowd in the region of 2,000 were treated to a thrilling cup tie literally from the kick-off when Martin Reilly missed the proverbial sitter within 16 seconds.

Longford certainly came to play and then soon enjoyed a good spell with Shay Zellor coming close twice inside 15 minutes.

St Patrick's, missing eight firstteamers, soon settled, however, and after Reilly and Stephen McGuinness missed a hat-trick of chances, Paul Campbell, skipper for the night, finally put them in front on 32 minutes, after a flowing passing movement, when he skillfully placed a shot beyond the dive of Stephen O'Brien.

It was a bitter sweet night for Campbell, however, as he was Stretchered off with ankle ligament damage after Evan Creedon was booked for a challenge on him in the 57th minute.

O'Brien kept Longford in the match with a stunning save from Leon Braithwaite early in the second-half before St Patrick's were rocked back on their heels when Longford equalised on 67 minutes when Paul Perth found the top corner off Trevor Wood's net having been set up by his brother Vincent.

It remained 1-1 for the 90 minutes with O'Brien then adding to the drama in extra-time by saving a penalty from Eddie Gormley after Chris Malone had handled a Trevor Molloy cross.

The thrills extended into the penalty shoot-out with Molloy getting the crucial one to see St Pat's into the semi-finals.

St Patrick's Ath: Wood; Burke, Mulraney, McGuinness, Southgate; Reilly, Long, Morgan, Campbell; Braithwaite, Osam. Subs: Gormley for Morgan (57 mins.), Russell for Campbell (inj. 59 mins), Molloy for Long (74 mins.).

Longford Town: O'Brien; Malone, McNally, Thompson, Byrne; Merriman, V Perth, P Perth, Devlin; Zellor, Farrell. Subs: Creedon for Devlin (at half-time), Kenny for P Perth (95 mins.), Flanagan for Creedon (114 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers have formally protested to the FAI National League over last Thursday's Premier Division match at Oriel Park in which they had a goal disallowed after a shot from Derek Tracey went through a hole in the side of the net. Rovers have asked that the game be replayed.