Last gasp leveller sees Laois advance over London in Talteann Cup

The Laois senior footballers have secured a place in the preliminary quarter-finals of this year's Tailteann Cup as London made sure they left Parnell Park with a draw this afternoon.

Laois were on top for the majority of the game as they held London scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the contest but it wasn't enough to secure the win.

Laois 1-17

London 2-14

The first score of the game came in the third minute from the left boot of Mark Barry as the O'Dempsey's man slotted it over the black spot. Barry turned provider for the next score as he teed up Graiguecullen's Mark Timmons to score a wonderful point from long-range. Laois would be four points to the good by the time the 10th minute ticked by as Colm Murphy dissected the posts while Paul Kingston got Laois' first score from a placed ball.

Laois continued to show a strong defensive shape as London struggled to create any clear-cut scoring chances. Paddy O'Sullivan made a superb block on Joshua Obahor as London still remained without a score. Laois continued to put the pressure on London as they won an opposing kick-out before half-back Padraig Kirwan put the ball over the bar.

The scores would continue to flow for the O'Moore County as Kingston kicked his second free, O'Sullivan was the man fouled on this occasion. Kingston soon took his tally to three points from frees as Colm Murphy was bundled over.

London finally got their first score on the board as Liam Gavaghan kicked over a free. Laois replied swiftly to London's point as Barry kicked a beautiful score off his cultured left boot. Gavaghan slotted over London's second score with another free. Barry would soon take his tally to three points as he was on the end of a well-worked Laois move.

The side from across the water kicked the next two scores without reply as Enda Lynn and Christopher Farley (45') raised white flags. Laois responded in the best way possible as they too kicked two scores unanswered. Kingston getting his first from play while Evan O'Carroll opened his account for the contest with a score from play.

London ended the half with a score as Lynn raised his second white flag as Laois went into half-time with a well-deserved six-point advantage.

Laois' six-point lead would shortly be cut to two as Farley pointed before half-time substitute Henry Walsh rattled the back of the Laois net. Eoin Lowry pointed for Laois before Gavaghan pointed another free for London. Laois also had a goal disallowed for a square ball.

Kingston pushed Laois three points ahead as Kieran Lillis was fouled with the Arles-Killeen forward kicked the resulting free. Farley responded with a free of his own for London. Laois' goal finally came as a long ball in from James Finn found Timmons in the square as he fisted the ball into the back of the net.

The next two scores were matched as Gallagher pointed for London while Kingston kicked a mark for Sheehan's side. London would soon go ahead for the first time as they fired in 1-3 without any Laois resistance. Gallagher and two frees from Walsh was coupled with a penalty from Lynn as Sean Greene was shown a black card for his foul for the penalty.

Kingston kicked another free before London raised two white flags unanswered. Joesph McGill and Gallagher pushed London ahead by two points with four minutes shown on the board. Laois snatched a draw as Kingston kicked a free before Niall Corbet hand passed the ball over the bar.