MATCH PREVIEW: Drogheda United v Longford Town

Match Preview by Tony Ghee

Longford Town travel to United Park in Drogheda tomorrow (Friday) for a crunch league clash with play-off rivals Drogheda United, where an away victory will gaurantee Neale Fenn's charges a promotion play-off spot.

However, a home win will see Drogheda leapfrog Longford into the final play-off berth with just one round of matches to go, a draw will mean that Longford and Drogheda will fight it out on the final day of the regular season in their respective games against UCD and Cobh, with Longford holding a one point advantage.

So far this season, Longford are unbeaten against the Louth side. A Sam Verdon goal assisted by Dylan McGlade gave the 'Red & Black' all three points at the City Calling Stadium.

However, the goal that could come back to haunt the Town in the final shake-up, could be Ciaran Kelly's last kick-of-the-match equaliser when the sides clashed at United Park to cancel out Dean Byrne's lead goal for Longford.

The game finished in a one-all draw, but Kelly's goal resulted in a three point swing, and means that if the Town had held on for victory, they would be four points clear of Drogheda instead of just one.

While Drogheda had no game last weekend due to the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Quarter-Finals, Longford will be looking to bounce back in style from last Week's Cup mauling at home to double champions Cork City.

Morale is excellent in the Longford camp and last week's result has firmly been consigned to 'Room 101' and will have no bearing on tomorrow's outcome.

On the team news front, Darren Meenan and Shane Elworthy are suspended, while Dean Byrne and Jamie Hollywood are both definitely out injured. Sam Verdon is not fit for a starting place, but may be fit enough for a place on the bench.