NATIONAL LEAGUE/Premier Division - Derry City ... 1 Longford Town ... 1: Derry City's failure to beat Longford since the midlanders' promotion to the Premier Division two seasons ago continued at the Brandywell last night.
Indeed, for the third time this season, the teams shared a 1-1 scoreline and last night's result was a fair reflection of the play.
Having lived dangerously at the back during the second half, it was Derry who took the lead in the 79th minute from the penalty spot.
A surging run by Seán Hargan ended when the defender was brought down by Barry Ferguson and the referee pointed to the spot.
Liam Coyle put Derry in front,sending Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien the wrong way.
But that lead lasted just three minutes and Longford's Alan Murphy will remember his strike for a long time.
Following a corner, the ball was beaten out of the Derry defence and, when it dropped into Murphy's path, the full back let fly from almost 40 yards to find the inside of Alan Gough's left-hand post.
DERRY CITY: Gough; Deery, Boyle, McLaughlin, Hargan; McCallain, Doherty, Hutton, Friars; Coyle, Martin. Subs: McGlynn for Boyle (30 mins); Hughes for Martyn (72).
LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, Silke, Ferguson, Dillon; Kirby, Perth, Sheridan, Byrne; Francis, Lavine. Sub: Mulvihill for Francis (88 mins).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
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