The return of Vinny Perth will see mixed feeling for Dundalk as his side could only collect a point against Longford who got their first point in five games. Both sides to their credit had chances to win the game only for both keepers to be called into action at the opportune time to ensure the point was ensured. A fantastic volley by Aaron McNally gave the visitors the lead only for it to be cancelled out by a bullet Chris Shields header from a corner. The tale of the second half was the keepers as Alessio Abibi – sometimes Oriel Parks pantomime villain did excellently to save from Aaron Dobbs while Lee Steacy saved Longford on more than one occasion to deny Patrick Hoban from the spot.

What a chance for Dundalk a cross sent in was met by Duffy on the volley but it goes wide!

Sam Stanton who has been excellent tonight is replaced by Midtskogen.

What a great save! Abibi does well to stop a close-range effort from Dobbs with a diving save with his feet.

Substitute for Longford as Rob Manley is replaced by Aaron Dobbs.

Hoban with the penalty! He misses, Steacy does excellent to save and then saves again from Hoban.

Penalty to Dundalk. A corner sent in hits off the arm of the defender and the referee points to the spot.

Daniel Kelly is replaced by Val Adedokun after he becomes injured.

Sam Stanton with an excellent through ball to Kelly whose effort flashes wide.

How did that not go in, Duffy weaving his magic and hits a low effort that is toe-poked by Hoban but Steacy does excellent to save it.

Sloggett and Jurovskis come on in straight swaps for the two departing players.

Double substitution for Dundalk as Dummigan and Murray comes off.

For pulling McEleney\'s shirt, Dervin gets a yellow card.

Absolutley brilliant defending for Sam Stanton. Dylan Grimes breaks free of the attention of Boyle and with the onrushing Abibi he slotted it past him and Stanton cleared it off the line.

First chance on goal of the half as Sean Murray with a quick pass to Hoban but his effort is deflected for a corner.

It has been a quiet half so far, Dundalk still pressing a lot more high in this half as Longford look to counter attack on the break. So far this is fairly even so far.

And we are back underway for the second half. Longford restarts the game.

Half Time and its honours even here at Oriel, a fantastic volley from McNally was cancelled out by Chris Shields bullet header from the corner. An evenly matched contest that is in the balance. As this game wears on I expect more goals and action to come.

A 20th career goal for Shields that who has now equalled the best goalscoring season of his career (2018) with what is his 3rd goal of the season

Captain's goal! An inch-perfect cross from the corner was met by Shields at the back post and it flies into the back of the net.

Nearly 2-0 here as Dean Byrne on the edge of the area hits a fantastic curling effort first time and it cannons off the corner of the goal frame.

The corner came in and Steacy was about to gather on the second attempt only for Chris Shields to head in ahead of him and head it towards Hoban but too many bodies were in front of the goal to get a shot away. Steacy is now down and is getting attention.

A gifted chance for Patrick Hoban as the ball lands to him in the area but he blazes over the bar, in fairness it came to him late and he did well to evade his defender.

And out of nothing Longford take the lead, a cross from the left is met on the volley by McNally and it flew past Abibi.

A speculative effort from McEleney forces Steacy to tip it around the post, a lot more urgency in this Dundalk side. It seems the side is chomping at the bit here.

Fantastic save by Steacy as Leahy sends in a low cross to Kelly whose powerful shot could only be punched away.

Longford get a sight on goal by McNally's effort flashes well wide of the goal.

The first shot in anger falls to the home side, Michael Duffy's pass is met by Daniel Kelly on the volley but it goes over the bar.

And we are underway at Oriel Park, Sean Murray kicks us off.

A banner is unfurled out at Oriel Park by supporters outside the ground 'Vinny Perth - The Prince that became king'

For the numbers, people out there: It has been 309 days after taking charge of his last game at Oriel Park which was a 2-2 draw with Waterford and now Vinny Perth is back in the home dugout. It’s the 44-year-old’s 44th league game in charge of the club tonight.

Alessio Abibi, Sam Stanton and Chris Shields are the only three members of tonight’s starting eleven signed at a time when Vinny Perth was not part of the club. The latter has obviously featured heavily during his previous tenure at the club though.

Dundalk's side sees four changes from last week’s defeat to Waterford with Shields, Leahy, Kelly and Murray in for Nattestad, Adedokun, Midtskogen and Sloggett. Has a more 'Vinny Perth' feel to it, tried and trusted to suit the 4-5-1 system that the players at Dundalk have been used to at the club.

Weather conditions are perfect here in Oriel, the sun is out in what is excellent for summer football.

The team news coming from Longford Town is that Callum Warfield is still out recovering from his long-term injury while Shane Elworthy is doubtful with a concussion ahead of tonights game.

Good Evening from Oriel Park, it's back to the future with Vinny Perth back at the helm with his Dundalk charges taking on a Longford side that is in desperate need of a win. Vinny wants to get back to winning ways, in his last full season as manager which was at Dundalk he won 27 of the 36 games on offer. Daire Doyle needs a win to have some hope of clawing away from that last placed position in the league.