Ballinamallard 4-5 Linfield AET
Betmclean League Cup holders Linfield survived a major scare last night at Ferney Park, requiring an 88th minute goal and extra time to overcome the Championship side and move into round 3.
The Mallards, who led twice in the game, can be very proud of their performance but will also be disappointed in the manner of the goals they conceded.
The home took the lead with just 3 minutes on the clock when Ryan Campbell volleyed in Callum Moorehead's cross from the right for a dream start.
Campbell was unlucky not to score again when he sneaked in behind the Linfield backline but Gareth Deane was quick from his line to block.
Cooper, Lavery and Waterworth all went close for 'the Blues' before Lavery and Ryan McGivern put Linfield ahead, getting on the end of two corner deliveries.
Just before the half time whistle, Ross Taheny seen his header cleared off the goal line, with the Mallard players adamant that the ball had crossed the line, however the officials were unmoved.
The Ballinamallard equaliser arrived then on 55 minutes; John Edgar flicked on Ross Taheny's corner and Ryan Campbell was lurking to head past Deane from close range.
Linfield stepped up the pressure and the Mallards started to play on the counter attack, and that is how they took the lead on 75 minutes. Jason McCartney broke down the left and played an inch perfect ball across goal for Moorehead to sweep in and score his first goal for the club.
David Healy responded by raiding his bench to play with what seemed like a front 6, and it paid dividends on 88 minutes when Daniel Reynolds equalised; late heartbreak for the Mallards.
The Premiership side sealed victory with two quick goals at the start of extra time with Kirk Millar dispatching two excellent crosses; the first deflected in for an own goal and the second being met by Andrew Waterworth.
In the final minute of extra time the best goal of the game arrived when Sean McEvoy showed great composure to curl a beautiful shot from outside the box high into the top right hand corner.
The Mallards will hope to take confidence from this performance into Saturday's match at home to Dundela.