Longford check stripes - January 28,
2001
Derry City 0 Longford Town 0
Longford made it seven points out of a possible nine against Derry this season when they halted the Candystripes' mini-run at the Brandywell yesterday. Derry had beaten Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in their previous two outings but Longford proved a tougher nut to crack than the Dublin sides.
Longford had the best chance of the first half when Keith O'Connor's lob beat 'keeper Russell Payne but was cleared off the line by Paul Hegarty.
Brendan Devlin replaced new signing Dominic Sheppard early in the second half and Derry had a more businesslike look thereafter.
Peter Hutton should have made more of a 65th minute free header and Darren Kelly went close in the 77th minute but saw his volley hit an upright.
To make things worse for Derry - who wanted full points to force their way into contention for a Euro spot - Gray Beckett was stretchered off near the end.
Derry: Payne, McCallion, Hargan, Hutton, Kelly, Doherty, Harkin, Hegarty, Sheppard, Beckett, McCready
Subs: Paddy McLaughlin for Hegarty 54, Devlin for Sheppard 54, McCaul for Beckett 77
Longford Town: O'Brien, Murphy, W Byrne, V Perth, Smith, McNally, Zellor, S Byrne, O'Connor, N Byrne, Gavin
Subs: Notaro for Gavin 74, Coyle for N Byrne 75
Booked: V Perth
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)