Last gaspsickenerfor Town

BANBRIDGE Town were incensed as a vital point was snatched away from them in the SIXTH minute of added time.

When you consider that only two minutes were scheduled by the referee, plus he ruled out a goal for offside and sent off a Town player in what they believed to be a fair challenge you can understand why they would feel aggrieved at the score.

With Ballinamallard United holding Loughgall to a 0-0 draw and Ballyclare Comrades scoring a shock 2-0 win at home to Bangor it means the Town now sit four places off the foot of the table on 17 points.

Luckily for Colin Malone’s side there is still a gap of six points between themselves and Coagh United and eight between the Town and Glebe Rangers. Armagh City remain rock bottom with five points.

While it was a bad day for the Town it was, clearly, a good day for Limavady with the win, coupled with Donegal Celtic’s draw at home to Ards, moving them clear at the top of the Ladbrokes.com Championship 1.

Limavady started off the brightest but Town were also creating chances. Marc Whitla thought he had put the home side ahead but was ruled offside.

The deadlock was broken on 75 minutes when Gareth McConaghie headed a corner past David Wilton from the far post.

Mark Teggart was then sent to the changing rooms. After poking the ball through the defender’s legs he appeared to receive a kick himself, but it looked like the Town forward had his studs up and referee Colin Burns produced a red card.

Whitla went close again, this time to pulling the scores level, but the goal they had searched for came five minutes from time. Paul Evans’ cross was slotted home by debutant Neil Clydesdale.

But in the 96th minute of play Peter Spratt stole the points for Limavady, breaking Town hearts.

The Crystal Park side will have another opportunity to end their recent bad run of results when the host Carrick Rangers on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

On Saturday past Carrick scored a 2-0 win away to Armagh City to move them into fourth place in the table and 10 points behind Limavady with a game in hand.

Stevie Small’s men secured the three points through goals from Mark Craig and Barry Bloomer.