Institute 1-2 Ballinamallard

It's advantage to Ballinamallard in the halfway point of the promotion/relegation playoff.

The Mallards take a 2-1 lead into the second leg which will take place on Tuesday 10th May at Ferney Park, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Whitey Anderson ringed the changes for this vital encounter with Alvin Rouse coming in as goalkeeper, Steve Feeney into centre half, Ryan Mayse plus John Currie into midfield and Ryan Campbell to the front line.

Stute, fresh from winning the Intermediate Cup on Monday started the game brightly but neither side could find the target as 15 minutes elapsed.

The Mallards eventually took the lead however as they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mayse. Stephen O'Flynn took the spot kick which was saved by Marty Gallagher, the striker then hit the post in the follow up, had another cleared off the line before Johnny Lafferty headed back across goal for O'Flynn to head in against his former side.

The home side hit back almost immediately however when referee Keith Kennedy spotted a handball from Steve Feeney, and ex-Mallard Michael McCrudden netted from the spot.

The Mallards started the second half brightly and went close on a couple of occasions before Stute came back into the game and forced Rouse into a couple of magnificant saves.

The Fermanagh side got a vital second away goal however when John Currie's deflected strike found its way into the net.

Rouse made another couple of good saves to keep the score as it was, whilst the Mallards spurned a couple of good opportunities to break and score a third.