Dylan Grimes equalizer saw Longford Town draw 1-1 with Drogheda United at Bishopsgate in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Bishopsgate tonight.
Chris Lyons opened the scoring for Drogheda in the early stages but Grimes ensured a share of the points with his goal 13 minutes from time.
Town signed Darragh Nugent and Dean Williams on loan from Shamrock Rovers during the week and both were handed starting places by manager Daire Doyle.
Nugent took the place of Aodh Dervin in defensive midfield while Dean Williams started in place of Aaron Dobbs up front.
The other Town change saw Karl Chambers introduced in place of Aaron Robinson while Drogheda United boss Tim Clancy kept faith with the same side that defeated Finn Harps.
Drogheda dominated the early exchanges and broke the deadlock as early as the 14th minute when Chris Lyons headed home Luke Heeney’s corner kick.
Seven minutes later, Paddy Kirk tried to restore parity from well outside the box only for his effort to miss the target completely.
Town gradually grew into the game and in the 38th minute, Dylan Grimes showed some attacking endeavor drawing a foul from around 25-yards out but his free-kick was easily dealt with by David Odumosu.
Six minutes later Dean Williams was fouled by Killian O’Reilly just outside the box, Grimes free kick was headed over by Joe Manley.
Just before half-time Aaron McNally's run yielded another corner and once again Grimes delivery was headed off target by Manley leaving the hosts one goal down at the break.
Drogheda began the second half with more urgency and created two chances within the first eight minutes as Dane Massey and Chris Lyons both missed the target.
Mark Doyle subsequently hit the crossbar in the 58th minute before Chris Lyons caught Lee Steacy off his line three minutes later but his effort went over the crossbar.
Drogheda suddenly rued those missed opportunities when Longford drew level in the 77th minute. A cross from Darragh Nugent found Dylan Grimes who wiggled his way free and clipped the ball over the advancing Odumosu for the equalizer.
Both sides pressed for a second goal, the visitors came close three minutes from time, when James Brown cross headed wide by James Clarke, as the sides sharded the spoils.
Longford Town: L Steacy; S Elworthy, A O’Driscoll, J Manley, P Kirk (M O’Brien 60), D Nugent, D Zambra (A Dobbs 60), A McNally, K Chambers (R Manley 60), D Grimes (D Byrne 85), D Williams
Drogheda United: D Odumosu; K Phillips, D O’Reilly, D Massey; J Brown, G Deegan, L Heeney (64 J Hyland), C Kane; D Markey (J Clarke 60), C Lyons (D Corcoran 73), M Doyle (M Hughes 73).
