Curry’s first goal moves ’Stute top

The former Newbuildings United winger made an instant impact when he came off the bench to replace Darren McFadden and his headed goal just topped his performance off nicely.

The 2-1 victory combined with Dundela’s win over Carrick Rangers means the Waterside men move into pole position at the top of the Championship One table, with eight games remaining.

Institute nearly got off to the perfect start when McFadden’s right wing centre found the in-rushing Michael McCrudden, who showed super skill to flick the ball over Darren Nixon, but his side footed effort from just inside the box was straight at Distillery keeper Ryan McBride

The home side did break the deadlock on 18 minutes with that man McCrudden making up for his earlier miss.

The talented midfielder calmly side footed home from 12 yards after Darren McFadden had drew keeper McBride from his goal, after he initially showed good strength to hold off Nixon before racing onto Declan McKeever’s clever through ball.

Distillery drew level on 23 minutes following an goalkeeping error by Michael Doherty.

Kris Pike’s right wing free-kick was curled into the box with his left foot and amazingly caught everyone out and the ball sailed past the ’Stute keeper and into the net.

Just before half-time the visitors missed a golden chance when Stephen Doyle broke the offside trap, but with only Doherty to beat, the striker dragged his right footed shot from just inside the box, past the left post.

Distillery missed a glorious chance on 51 minutes when Nathan McConnell some how headed wide from four yards out, after Doyle’s good work and cross had created the chance.

Minutes later a Paddy McLaughlin clearance down field found McFadden, who after breaking the offside trap and controlling the ball, his early strike from just outside the box, which had the stranded McBride beaten, flew well wide.

Just after the hour mark Paul Kee’s side regained the lead on 66 minutes following a slick move.

Stephen Parkhouse played in McCrudden down the left hand side and his cross from the bye-line took a slight deflection and substitute Stephen Curry made no mistake heading home at the back post.

In the closing stages some neat skill by McCrudden saw him get away from his marker before teeing up Parkhouse, but the striker’s tame side footed effort from the edge of the box was easily saved by McBride.

Institute: Doherty, Crown, McLaughlin, Curran, McKeever; Henderson, McCauley, Walsh, McCrudden; Parkhouse, McFadden (Curry 61). Subs: Varma, Semple, O’Donnell & Gallagher (not used).

Lisburn Distillery: McBride, Alderdice, Nixon, Kingsberry, Pike, McConville (Wright 77), Upton, Morton, O’Connor, McConnell (Withers 84), Doyle. Subs: Wilson (not used).

Referee: Kevin Teggart.