Ballinamallard 1-0 Portadown

Ballinamallard narrowly edged to victory in this action packed encounter at Ferney Park on Monday evening, which keeps them in ninth position and 4 points above bottom side Warrenpoint who were defeated by Dungannon.

Whitey Anderson made a number of changes after Friday evening's defeat to Warrenpoint, including starts and home debuts for Ryan Mayse and Jake Dykes, whilst Garth Falconer retained his spot and made his home debut.

The Mallards were forced into another change early in the game however when Chris Crilly pulled up with a hamstring injury when completing a last ditch challenge on Mark McAllister who appeared to be through on goal. The Portadown striker hotly disputed the incident with referee Ross Dunlop, believing that he should have been awarded a penalty.

At the other end, Dykes and Mayse both went close, whilst goalkeeper David Miskelly denied Emmet Friars from close range.

There was a huge sigh of relief around Ferney Park when Sean Mackle's effort hit the bar, before bouncing on the goal line and away to safety whilst Marcio Soares should have done better when he created an opportunity for himself but he hit the side netting.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 67 minutes. Shane McCabe crossed from the right and Ryan Campbell flicked the ball towards the back post, where Ivan Sproule was waiting. His shot hit the post but James McKenna was on hand to fire into the net despite a last ditch attempted block by Garry Breen.

Rouse was in fine form to keep his side in the game however when he denied Casement and Soares whilst Ryan Campbell hit the post for Ballinamallard as they looked to wrap up the game.

Portadown piled the pressure on towards the end of the game and it almost paid dividends but Breen's header hit the bar.

The winners of the half time draw were Hazel Haveron, Flick Long and Erica McClean with ticket number 14487.

Many thanks to our match sponsor, Elite Glaze, Enniskillen and the ball sponsor GR White & Son, Tempo.