FULL TIME: Longford Town ended their give game losing streak with a resolute and hard-working performance as Aaron O’Driscoll’s solitary goal right on the stroke of halftime was what made the difference in a game they had to dig deep after Daire Doyle’s side were reduced to nine men in the second half. Despite an onslaught of opportunities from the away side Dundalk failed to convert and ‘The Town’ held out for a much-needed victory as they looked to get vital points for their quest for safety.

This game is getting more intense by the second, for a challenge in the area, Han was sent off !

For a tackle from behind Manley is sent off, Longford down to nine!

Sloggett comes off.

On comes Han

Dean Williams and Dylan Grimes come off for Longford.

Double sub for the home side: Callum Warfield and Karl Aaron Dobbs come on

O'Kane comes on and replaces Sami Ben Amar.

For a foul Duffy is given a yellow card.

Dummingan comes off.

Michael Duffy also comes on for Dundalk.

One comes Dervin the Longford home man who is a fan favourite.

Zambra comes off for the last 30 mins.

OFF THE POST: Andy Boyle from the free-kick struck the woodwork! This is going to be one of those nights for Dundalk isn't it?

Aaron Robinson picks up a second yellow for a foul on Patching - a lifeline for Dundalk perhaps

Byrne comes off for McNally

McNally comes on.

Sami Ben Amar's cross is sent over the bar by Joe Manley, the resulting corner sees Daniel Cleary head towards goal but it is caught by Steacy on the second attempt.

Sonni is off at halftime and is replaced by Mark Hanratty in the Dundalk backline.

SECOND HALF: We are back underway at Bishopsgate.

HALF TIME: Dundalk huffed and puffed but it was Longford who blew the house down as Aaron O'Driscoll opens the scoring right on the stroke of halftime, Cameron Yates had barely warmed his gloves up and his first action was to take the ball out of the net.

GOAL LONGFORD! Dylan Grimes' free flicked on by Aaron O'Driscoll (whose header squirms under the dive of Yates.

Ben Amar tries the overhead but it is well blocked! Dundalk really pushing for a goal.

CHANCE AGAIN! Sam Stanton does brilliantly down the left and his cross is met by Hoban who turns and shoots at a tight angle but it is well saved by Steacy.

Greg Sloggett races on to Patching's quick free-kick but Darragh Nugent makes a brilliant block to deny the midfielder from putting the away side ahead.

Another chance goes begging for Dundalk as a corner sent in is flicked goalwards by Hoban but it goes well wide. They could rue these misses later on.

An interesting game so far, big chances for Dundalk early on but Longford have got a foothold in this game, this is going to be a good contest.

The first sight on goal for Longford as Darragh Nugent collects the ball on the outside of the area but his shot goes wide of Yate's post.

ANOTHER CHANCE! That looked like it was certain! A fantastic curling cross from Cameron Dummingan was met by Hoban and his header just goes wide of the post.

Hoban breaks down the right and cuts inside into the area, his shot was tame however and Steacy saves with ease.

WHAT A CHANCE! Another cross from Raivis Jurkovskis is met this time by Stanton at the back post but he just heads it wide, in that position he should have done better. Big let-off for Longford as Dundalk have gone hunting.

The first opportunity of the game falls to the visitors as a free-kick sent in is met by Patrick Hoban but his header goes over the bar.

And we are underway at Bishopsgate, Dundalk kicks us off and are on the early attack.

Conditions are perfect with both sides and the surface is immaculate. Some interesting parties are in attendance tonight - Liam Buckley of Sligo Rovers has just arrived as well Ruaidhrí Higgins of Derry City.

Some connect the dots trivia for you now: Longford hasn’t beaten Dundalk since October 2008 when they were 2-1 winners at Oriel Park Darren McKenna and Alan Lynch scored in either half before Simon Kelly netted what proved to be just a consolation strike for the Lilywhites. Who was in charge of Longford Town that day? Current Dundalk manager Vinny Perth.

It’s league appearance number seventy-five in Dundalk colours tonight for Daniel Cleary while his defensive colleague Sonni Nattestad returns from international duty to make his tenth.

There are three changes to the Dundalk side which drew away to Waterford eight days ago with Cameron Yates handed a league debut in place of Alessio Abibi. Nattestad and Jurkovskis also start on their return from international duty with Murray and Kelly dropping out through injury

Good Evening from Bishopsgate in Longford where Dundalk are looking to get some vital points on the board and begin to climb back up that SSE Airtricity League table, for Longford its a chance to get a much needed win after losing five games in a row.