Dundalk's nightmare beginning to their debut season in the First Division continued at Oriel Park yesterday as they missed another penalty in going down 1-0 to Longford Town.

The result, a third successive defeat for Terry Eviston's side, leaves them floundering at the foot of the table.

It was another bad day all round for Dundalk as they had new signing Brian Morrisroe stretchered off shortly before half-time with a leg injury.

Things appeared to be looking up, however, when they were awarded a penalty nine minutes into the second-half after David Hoey was taken down by Longford captain Wesley Byrne. But visiting goalkeeper, Stephen O'Brien, who had been a doubtful starter due to an eye injury, saved Mark Reid's spot kick.

Eleven minutes later Longford struck for the game's only goal when Keith O'Connor chested down a cross to set up Stephen Gavin to shoot home from ten yards.

Bray Wanderers came from behind to beat Kilkenny City 2-1 at the Carlisle Grounds to go joint top with Cobh Ramblers.

Davy Walsh gave Kilkenny a 32nd minute lead when following up to score after Howie King's shot had come back off a post.

Bray, preparing to meet Grasshopper Club in their UEFA Cup return on Thursday night, equalised on 56 minutes when Kieran O'Brien ran through onto Jason Byrne's flick to shoot past Robbie Forde. Three minutes later Alan Smyth snatched the winner when he shot home after Mick Doohan had knocked down Maurice Farrell's free-kick. Kilkenny manager, Pat Byrne, was sent from the dugout in the last minute for arguing with Dublin referee Pat Whelan.

Cobh had to fight to retain their leadership as they came from 2-0 down at half-time to salvage a point at Home Farm/Fingal on Saturday night.

An excellent goal from Robbie Farrell, who shot home Richard Foran's cross, gave Home Farm a deserved 24th minute lead. Mark Patton's miss-hit cross, which looped in over Cobh goalkeeper John Donegan, added to that three minutes before the interval.

Cobh battled back into the game and dominated the second-half. Having missed several chances from play, accuracy from set-pieces ultimately earned Cobh their point. A penalty, calmly scored by Donal Golden, on 62 minutes got them back into the game, before Willie Byrne drilled home their equaliser from a 20 yard free-kick two minutes from the end.

Linfield have forced the Irish League to take action over fixture problems created by Thursday night's European Games.

The League has introduced a new edict which permits clubs caught up in late week European ties to postpone the domestic Saturday games.