Alan Mathews saw his Longford team beat Linfield 2-1

Early Longford pressure paid off when Stephen Paisley headed in from a left-wing corner after just five minutes at Flancare Park.

Then in first half stoppage-time a fine finish by Andy Myler made it 2-0.

Linfield pulled a goal back on 85 minutes as Paul McAreavey got a telling flick on Aiden O'Kane's free-kick.

It set up an exciting finish but Longford held on for their first Group A points. Earlier in the competition, they had lost 2-1 away to Glentoran.

Linfield's next match in the inaugural year of the event is at home to Glentoran on 19 April. Then comes the return game against Longford on 10 May.

The Belfast side made a shaky start on Tuesday with keeper Alan Mannus having to make two smart saves from Sean Prunty before Paisley headed the Eircom League side ahead.

Linfield then asserted themselves and Michael Gault saw a header saved by Stephen O'Brien.

If their keeper Stephen O'Brien got man of the match we cannot have done that badly David Jeffrey

Glenn Ferguson and Mark Picking had shots go off target as Linfield had a spell on top.

But, just before half-time, Longford swept forward and from Dessie Baker's right-wing cross former Newry player Myler's skilful first-time finish made it 2-0.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey sent on top scorer Peter Thompson and fellow striker Shea Campbell in the second half but, despite McAreavey's goal, the Blues headed back to Belfast empty-handed.

"We are disappointed but there is a long way to go," said Jeffrey.

"We were not happy with the way we conceded the first, we should have dealt with the set-piece much better.

"We dominated the rest of the half and then got hit with a sucker punch.

"If their keeper Stephen O'Brien got man of the match we cannot have done that badly."

Jeffey added that Longford had treated the Linfield squad and fans "like kings".

"Massive respect to the Longford fans who applauded each and everyone of our players."

Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect after the death of Pope John Paul II but the two clubs agreed that it would have been unwise to have had a minute's silence.

Longford: O'Brien, O'Connor Dillon, Martin, Ferguson, Paisley, Baker, Fitzgerald, Barrett, Myler, Prunty.

Linfield: Mannus, McShane, Douglas, McAreavey, W Murphy, Bailie, Gault, D Murphy, Picking, Ferguson, Larmour.