Dromara unlucky not to come away with share of the spoils

Missing a couple of players due to call ups to the seconds, Dromara took time to settle into the game and were struggling to cope with early Downpatrick attacks.

Former Dromara player Paul Gilgunn was running the midfield for Downpatrick and they took the lead with just 15 minutes gone.

Good play down the right saw the winger cut in and he fired a shot in from the edge of the box which took a deflection of a Dromara defender and ended up in the back of the net.

Downpatrick doubled their lead just five minutes later when the impressive Gilgunn curled in a free kick from the edge of the box which deceived the Dromara keeper.

This setback seemed to kick Dromara into gear and they responded by getting the ball down and starting to play football out on the wings.

They got back into the game when a long throw by Sean McNally form the right found the in-rushing Stuart Burns at the back post and he found the back of the net with a good header.

Dromara were awarded a penalty five minutes before half time when McElroy was fouled in the box. But Carmichael saw his well placed penalty superbly saved by the Downpatrick keeper.

The second half saw both sides come out playing some good football but without creating any real clear cut chances. Downpatrick found themselves a man down with twenty minutes to go when their midfielder was dismissed for second bookable offence.

Dromara when three at the back to try and get back into the game and were unlucky when good play by Watterson and McElroy down the right saw a cross into the box just miss the Hughes who failed to connect with his head.

With just 10 minutes to go, a through ball by McNeill found Jack Milligan through on goal. However he was taken down on the edge of the box when he had only the keeper to beat. The referee had no choice but to show his second red card of the day to the Downpatrick defender.

Dromara piled everyone forward in a bid to get the equaliser but despite all their possession, they could not break down a resolute Downpatick defence and Downpatrick held on for the win.

Another good battling performance from Dromara and they now turn their attention to the league when they take on Kirkistown seconds at home this Saturday.