Athlone hold league leaders Longford in scoreless derby

League leaders Longford Town were left frustrated at Flancare Park on Saturday night when Athlone Town battled hard to return home with a point following the third Midlands derby of the season. The visitors withstood some fierce pressure especially in the second half but might have sneaked a win in the closing stages had a late effort from substitute Jordan Conroy not drifted the wrong side of the post with beaten home goalkeeper Craig Hyland looking on. Manager Mike Kerley handed debuts to new signings Stephen Last at centre-half and Barry O'Mahony in midfield, with Eric Molloy returning to the fold after a considerable absence from the senior ranks on the right of midfield. In a reshuffled defence, Damien Rushe started at right-back with Kevin Williamson on the left, as Joe Woods switched over to partner Last in the middle in place of the suspended Brian McCarthy and Tommy Barrett who has retired. Knowing a win would stretch their advantage over nearest challengers Limerick to four points, Longford were quickly on the attack and forced the first corner kick inside the opening minute when Thomas Crawley's cross from the left was put behind. Molloy almost capped a dream comeback on five minutes when, with his first touch of the ball, he forced Hyland into a fine save to push his shot behind, after Val Feeney had picked him out on the edge of the penalty area. Soon afterwards, Crawley had a great chance at the other end to open the scoring but his strike from twelve yards was pushed over the bar by Jennings. Karl Bermingham and Alan Kirby had further chances for the home side while Athlone replied with another corner kick midway through the half from which new signing Last fired over. On the half hour mark, Willo McDonagh should have done better when unmarked but headed Kirby's free kick over while Keith Gillespie shot wide soon afterwards. Athlone though should have headed off for the break with the lead but were denied what seemed a certain goal 10 minutes from half-time with an instinctive save from Hyland. Jason Hughes set up Noel McGee on the left and the Athlone captain looked set to break the deadlock as he went for the gap between the keeper and the near post but Hyland stuck out a foot to deny the number ten. The second half saw Athlone on the back foot for long periods but the visitors still had chances to win the game as Longford failed to sparkle in front of their own supporters. Kirby had an early effort go wide for the home side while McGee fired a volley straight at the keeper as the second half took a while to come to life. Kirby created further openings for Jamie Duffy but the substitute failed to take advantage as Athlone defended in depth. With a quarter of an hour remaining Athlone might have hit the front but Jordan Conroy, with his first touch after replacing Molloy, saw his shot drift wide of the far post after Brian Gill had won possession and then set Conroy free with a good pass. It proved to be an unlucky night for the home side and, ten minutes from full-time, Colm James could not believe his luck as his point blank effort from a Crawley left wing cross was somehow pushed behind by Jennings for a corner kick, with the home support already on their feet to celebrate what looked a certain goal. This proved to be the rock that Athlone built on as they thwarted the home side until the finish. As the pressure mounted, substitute Tony Griffiths headed wide and Kirby then had a shot blocked. Four minutes from full-time, good work again from Gill in midfield might have yielded a dividend but Conroy failed to find the target as he shot across the goalmouth and wide. The final outcome was still in doubt as full-time approached and another home substitute was again off target as Daniel Purdy sent a long range effort wide. At this stage McGee had dropped back to midfield as Athlone appeared content to settle for a share of the spoils but with five minutes of additional time indicated by the fourth official there was still time for the game to swing in favour of either side. Purdy was once more guilty of some poor finishing in the first minute of stoppage time when he directed his header wide from a Noel Haverty cross. McGee was then booked for diving inside the penalty area following a home challenge on Athlone's top scorer but the final whistle blew soon afterwards with the visitors no doubt well pleased to have held the league leaders and boost their own promotion hopes with a valuable point. Longford Town: Craig Hyland, Colm James, Michael Lee (Daniel Purdy, 76 mins), Noel Haverty, William McDonagh, Alan Kirby, Keith Gillespie, Mark Salmon, Karl Bermingham (Jamie Duffy, 62), Gary Shaw (Tony Griffiths, 71), Thomas Crawley. Athlone Town: Pat Jennings, Damien Rushe, Kevin Williamson, Joe Woods, Stephen Last (Ross Kenny, 73 ), Val Feeney (Mark Walsh, 69), Barry O'Mahony, Brian Gill, Jason Hughes, Noel McGee, Eric Molloy (Jordan Conroy, 75). Referee: Alan Mullally (Dublin).