UCD ... 0 Longford Town ... 0Barry Ferguson took the gloss of Longford's celebration by getting sent off for the second match running in this drab encounter at Belfield.
Ferguson was initially yellow carded for a foul on UCD striker Seán Finn a minute before half-time. When the two players tangled again on the touchline as they stretched into a tackle on 73 minutes, Dublin referee Pat Whelan gave Ferguson, only back from suspension following his sending off against Derry a fortnight ago, a second card and he was off.
The point nonetheless means Town are back in contention for a place in Europe after getting the nine points docked over the Avery John registration row reinstated earlier in the day.
Having started the day second bottom, they now move up to fourth place in the table.
As it happened, UCD had the better of the first-half, even if chances on goal were few and far between.
Paddy Mulvihill wasted two chance for Longford as they upped the tempo from the resumption; heading wide from a Brian Byrne cross before bring a good diving save from Ryan.
UCD pressed hard following Ferguson's sending off but both Sullivan and then Robbie Martin wasted good openings as Town held out for a point.
UCD: B Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, McAuley, D Ryan; Sullivan, McDonnell, McNally, O'Donnell; R Martin, Finn.
Longford Town: O'Brien; Murphy, Silke, Ferguson, John; Kirby, Perth, Sheridan, Byrne; Savic (Dillon 73 mins), Mulvihill.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)
