Dundalk frustrated after 10-man Longford hold firm at Oriel Park

Goalkeeper Paul Hunt was the Longford Town hero as the 10-man midlanders produced a fantastic defensive performance to hold champions Dundalk to a scoreless draw at Oriel Park.

The result leaves the Airtricity League title race wide open. Stephen Kenny’s men are seven points clear at the top but Cork City can close that gap to four if they beat Sligo Rovers this evening.

The visitors were left with an uphill task when skipper Mark Salmon was harshly sent off three minutes before half time. But Tony Cousins’s side dug in and frustrated Dundalk with goalkeeper Hunt making a host of fantastic saves.

Dundalk were far from their free-flowing best but created some good chances with David McMillan firing wide in the opening 45 minutes.

Longford grew into the game towards the end of the first half but momentum was disrupted in the 42nd minute when Salmon was dismissed after a collision with McMillan outside the penalty area.

Sean Maguire almost made a dream start to his Dundalk career, heading a Sean Gannon cross just over the bar seconds after being introduced.

The Oriel Park faithful thought the breakthrough had arrived in the 83rd minute. Brian Gartland’s flick found Maguire lurking at the back post again but Hunt made a fabulous save.

Dundalk squandered an opportunity in the 89th minute when Gartland, unmarked just yards out, headed a Horgan corner straight into the arms of Hunt.

DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Towell, O'Donnell (Mountney 75); Meenan (Kilduff 60), Finn, Horgan; McMillan (Maguire 66).

LONGFORD TOWN: Hunt; Sullivan, Powell, Gorman, Deady; Shannon (Cowan 72), Salmon, O'Connor, Rice, Ben Mohamed (Simon 78); Shaw.

Referee: Tomas Connolly.