difference between "took a long time" and "took long time"

[kurisuheart]

Dear teachers,

I encountered the expression "The confession took long time to come." on a website.
BBC Learning English - Words in the News -　Armstrong's confession

I know we have to put 'a' before 'long time' but I can find both expressions on the Internet.

Are there any differences?

Is the expression 'took long time' acceptable?

I wonder if BBC's script is wrong because I think I can hear 'a' in the listening material.

Thank you.

[Rover_KE]

'...took long time' is incorrect.

Welcome to Using English.

Rover

[kurisuheart]

Thank you very much for your reply. :)