Longford Town collected a valuable away point as Vinny Perth returned to the manager’s dugout at Dundalk.
While all the headlines were written about Perth’s return it was Aaron McNally who looked to have stolen the show after just 12 minutes for Town.
Dundalk looked to be in control of the game early on, when Town sprung a counter attack as Paddy Kirk raced clear for McNally to slot home the opener.
Dundalk sprang to life after the goal and the equaliser came on 29 minutes as Chris Shields rose to a corner and powered his header past Lee Stacey.
Dundalk had the better of the chances throughout but were unable to convert any of them with Pat Hoban missing a 73rd minute penalty.
Longford were punished for a handball in the box, Lee Stacey kept out Hoban’s spot kick and reacted well to deny Hoban from the rebound.
Micheal Duffy almost nicked it for Dundalk in the fourth minute of injurty time, his side footed effort spat just wide of the Longford net.
Dundalk: Abibi, Leahy, Dummigan, Boyle, Stanton (Midtskogen 79), Shields, Muray (Sloggett 63), McEleney, Kelly (Adedokun 75), Duffy, Hoban
Longford Town: Steacy, McNally, O’Driscoll, Kirk, Grimes (Davis 77), Dervin, McDonnell, Zambra, Manley (Dobbs 77), Chambers, Byrne (Robinson 89)
