Longford - 1 Shamrock Rovers - 1: Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers must meet again in the FAI Cup third round following an entertaining stalemate in Flancare Park on Saturday night.

Longford, the current cup holders, played some very attractive football and by the evidence of this performance, they will not go out without a fight. They certainly look capable of achieving back-to-back cup titles.

This is a game that Shamrock Rovers will want to forget in a hurry.

They were completely outplayed for most of the first half; and if Longford had taken their chances, then Rovers would have been out of this year's competition.

Strangely, it was the visitors who had the best chance of the opening half, in the 37th minute. Trevor Molloy made the most of a defensive mix-up, but with only goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien to beat, the striker was let down by his first touch.

Longford, however, were creating chances at will. Alan Kirby, Dean Fitzgerald, Shane Barrett and Dessie Baker will all feel they should have scored before the break.

Town were lucky not to fall behind in the 62nd minute when another mistake at the back ended up with Alan Murphy almost shooting past his own goalkeeper. However, the home side went in front after 72 minutes. And what a memorable strike it was. O'Brien's long clearance found Lavine on the edge of the penalty area and some brilliant skill from him allowed Dessie Baker to volley home a superb goal.

Rovers only had to wait seven minutes to draw level and it certainly was fortuitous. Keith Doyle sent in a cross from the left that bounced wickedly in front of O'Brien before ending up in the back of his net.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, Prunty, Ferguson, Gartland, Kirby, Perth, Fitzgerald, Barrett, Lavine, Baker.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: N Mooney; Croly, Doyle, McGuinness, Palmer, O'Brien, Gough, O'Halleran, Rutherford, Molloy, Grant. Subs: Deans for O'Halleran (56 mins); D Mooney for Rutherford (79 mins).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork)