Monaghan U 0 Dundalk 0:MONAGHAN UNITED have waited a decade to make it back to the top tier of the league, but their fans would have been disappointed with their return, judging by the game last night.

Both teams lined up with similarly structured formations – whereby a striker was sacrificed for an additional midfielder, which, as a result, congested the middle of the park. And even though both teams remained positive in their approach, chances were limited.

Of the few that were created, Dundalk had the better of them, going close on 33 minutes, when Robert Waters long-range strike was touched over the crossbar by Chris Bennion. Shortly afterwards, another shot from distance – Stephen McDonnell trying his luck this time – saw the crossbar save Monaghan.

By the time Shane O’Neill mistimed Michael Rafter’s cross in the 53rd minute, you got the sense this night would not belong to Dundalk. Yet they too had the woodwork to thank when Robert Bayly’s carved out space before curling a shot onto the post.

From here on in, Dundalk held the edge in terms of possession and territory yet ironically it was Monaghan who had the best of the chances, Jason Marks going wide with both of his shots, Jordan Keegan suffering a similar fate from a left-footed strike.

As the game wore on, Monaghan’s superior fitness saw them dominate the closing minutes but that wasn’t enough to secure the points.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Bennion: Maher, Collins (Humphrey, 79 mins), Reynor (Murphy, 60 mins), McMahon; Byrne McDonagh, Bayly; OConnor (Marks, 20 mins), Griffiths, Keegan.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Foran, Burns, Danville, Cunningham; ONeill (Coughlan, 68 mins), McDonnell (Walsh, 90 mins), Mountney, Waters, Shanahan; Rafter

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin)