Ards 2-1 Ballinamallard

Ards picked up a potentially crucial three points with this defeat of Ballinamallard United at the Bangor Fuels Arena, a win which moves Colin Nixon's side seven clear of the bottom two.

Gareth Tommons opened the scoring for Ards as early as the fourth minute when he knocked the ball past Richard Brush at the near post as Jonny Frazer delivered a low cross from the right.

At the other end a Ryan Curran shot from outside the area was blocked before falling to safety after Richard Clarke had created space with a cross and Curran came even closer after that with a close range header from Jason McCartney's delivery which 'keeper Sam Johnston comfortably claimed.

Scott Davidson might have added a second for Ards shortly before the break when he got behind the defence to hook the ball towards goal but Brush reacted well to deal with the danger.

But it was 2-0 on the hour following some fabulous work down the left from David McAllister which ended with Michael McLellan getting his boot to turn the ball home from close range.

However, the Mallards were thrown a lifeline with five minutes left when Clarke played Gary Armstrong through on goal to slot the ball past Johnston from the edge of the area.