Slane boss takes valuable lesson from cup exit

Manager Dan Thornton, though, hoped the outing would prove a valuable learning curve for his side.

“We came up against a very good Portstewart side who were dangerous from set plays, very hard working and difficult to break down,” he said. “We gave it a good shot and matched them for most of the game but just couldn’t get that all important first goal.

“We gave away two sloppy goals which is not like us but we learn from our mistakes, dust ourselves down and get back to league action next weekend.”

The game didn’t take long to ignite and Adam Rowland in Slane goal made two early saves while Kingsmore went close at the other end hit the side netting.

The visitors went close again in the 35th minute after good play down the right and an excellent switch ball saw their striker peel off at the back post and volley wide. Moneyslane went close at the other end when Montgomery glanced a header inches wide of the upright from a Devlin cross.

The second half got underway with Slane forcing the issue. Harron fired over the bar but at the other end, the back line of Hanion, Larmour, Shilliday and Devlin had to be on top of their game as the visitors broke forward in numbers.

Moneyslane gave away a vast height advantage on the visitors and this proved to be vital as the big Portstewart centre half powered a header in off the crossbar for the all important opening goal.

Slane responded well with Harron, Clark Hanion and Larmour all going close.

With two minutes left on the clock, Moneyslane shot themselves in the foot when an attempted hook clearance from McLean sailed over Rowland to confirm a deserved place in the next round for Portstewart.