Emmanuel James' late headed goal saw Longford Town salvage a 1-1 draw with Athlone Town at Bishopsgate.
Athlone were controlling proceedings until a late onslaught from the hosts. Substitute James was the main protagonist as Longford salvaged an important point.
The game’s first meaningful chance fell to Athlone ten minutes in. Dean Ebbe collected Gideon Tetteh’s through ball before firing over the crossbar.
The sides cancelled each other out for long spells resulting in a shortage of meaningful chances. Nonetheless, Longford had two opportunities to break the deadlock before the break.
Longford were awarded a free-kick on 38 minutes when Dylan Hand fouled Jordan Adayemo. Dean O’Shea connected with Conor Crowley’s delivery, Enda Mingoue made an easy save from the header.
Three minutes later, Jordan Adayemo caused problems for the Athlone’s defence with a marauding run. The Longford striker rounded Daniel McKenna and Dylan Hand before being smothered by Minogue. The game remained scoreless at half-time.
Athlone came close four minutes into the second half. Dean Ebbe’s 20-yard shot was initially parried by Jack Brady, the Longford goalkeeper controlled the ball at the second attempt.
The visitors took the lead in impressive fashion on 53 minutes. Gideon Tetteh bagged his first goal of the season.
Amardo Akeem Oakley outmanoeuvred Dean O’Shea and found Tetteh unmarked inside the box; the Athlone winger scored with a first-time finish.
Longford were finding the visitors hard to break down, but the hosts came close on 64 minutes.
Jack Brady saves Longford again
Brian Torre cleared Conor Crowley’s corner into the path of Adayemo, however the Longford striker missed the target from the edge of the box.
The brilliance of Town goalkeeper Jack Brady prevented the visitors from doubling their advantage four minutes later. Ebbe teed up Tetteh before the latter saw his first-time effort repelled by a great save.
Athlone were awarded a free-kick on 71 minutes. However, Brian Torre’s effort missed the target completely. Longford’s Emmanuel James was introduced on 75 minutes and almost made an impact four minutes later.
James collected a loose ball inside the box before being denied by an excellent block from Dylan Hand. Longford couldn’t exploit the resultant corner.
The Longford attacker atoned for his missed effort in dramatic fashion 60 seconds from time.
Dean O’Shea headed Guilhermo Rego Priosti’s superb diagonal ball towards James; the former Longford U19 star headed in from six yards out.
The result means its back-to-back games unbeaten for Longford who move to 11 points in the SSE Airtricity first division table.
Longford Town: Jack Brady, Jordan Tallon (Emmanuel James 75), Victor Serdeniuk, Oisin Hand, Shane Elworthy, Bastien Hery, Ross Fay (Karl Chambers 82), Conor Crowley (Guilhermo Rego Priosti 75), Dean O’Shea, Francis Campbell (Vasyl Tropanets 84), Jordan Adeyemo.
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Oisin Duffy, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 90+2), Carl Mujaguzi (Matthew Leal 78), Daniel McKenna, Amardo Akeem Oakley (Jamar Campion-Hinds 67), Aaron Connolly, Gideon Tetteh (Jamal Inhrahim 78), Dean Ebbe.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
