Longford Town extended their unbeaten run to three matches following a 0-0 draw with Treaty United in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.
The sides have now played out two scoreless draws in roughly three weeks and yet again a shortage of attacking ruthlessness on both sides was clear to see.
Town had the game’s first chance two minutes in. The visitors were awarded a corner kick after Sam Verdon’s left-wing cross was kicked out of play by Charlie Fleming.
The visitors opted for a short delivery and Dylan Barnett subsequently tried his luck from 25 yards out, but his effort lacked conviction and was easily saved by Jack Brady.
Four minutes later, Treaty were awarded a free-kick after Matthew Dunne tripped Callum McNamara 25 yards out but Charlie Fleming’s effort went the wrong side of the post.
Town threatened to score again on 21 minutes. Dylan Barnett’s left-wing cross found O’Brien who’s six-yard shot was parried by Brady and the resultant corner amounted to nothing.
Two minutes later, O’Brien collected Sam Verdon’s cross inside the box before shooting straight at the Treaty defensive wall. He subsequently gathered the rebound but sent the ball sailing over the crossbar.
On 41 minutes Treaty were awarded a free-kick. Joe Gorman latched onto Charlie Fleming’s delivery but his header was repelled by Luke Dennison as it remained scoreless at the break.
Town almost broke the deadlock within a minute of the restart when Shane Elworthy’s 12-yard effort came crashing off the crossbar after he cut inside from the right-wing.
Treaty spurned another opportunity on 55 minutes. Matt Keane’s right-wing cross found Conor Melody inside the box, but he failed to direct his header on target.
Five minutes later, Town went close again. Ryan Graydon’s first-time delivery found Dean McMenamy inside the box but his effort from a tight angle trickled wide of the post.
Treaty’s Joel Coustrain was introduced on 78 minutes and he almost made an instant impact. He collected a pass from Joe Collins 25 yards out and pirouetted gracefully before shooting wide.
Town almost went behind a minute later. Marc Ludden pounced on a loose pass from Shane Elworthy and his effort was knocked out by Dennison for a corner which Town couldn’t exploit.
Eight minutes from time, Town threatened again. Ryan Graydon showed brilliant improvisation to control a long ball forward from Joe Power but his effort deflected off Ludden and out for a corner.
Town couldn’t sustain the onslaught and four minutes later, Graydon tried his luck from 35 yards out but skied his ambitious effort over the crossbar as the game ended scoreless.
Longford Town (4-5-1): Luke Dennison; Shane Elworthy, Matthew Dunne, Dylan Barnett, Ben Lynch; Ryan Graydon, Matthew O’Brien (Joe Power 60), Dean McMenamy Aaron Robinson, Eric Molloy (Joe Doyle 72); Sam Verdon.
Treaty United (4-5-1): Jack Brady; Charlie Fleming, Sean Guerins, Joe Gorman, Marc Ludden; Callum McNamara, Joe Collins, Conor Melody (Joel Coustrain 78), Lee Devitt, Matt Keane; Dean George.
Referee: Rob Dowling
