Mallards and Glenavon share spoils

Ballinamallard United continued their recent good run with a 1-1 draw against Glenavon in their rearranged league clash at Ferny Park on Tuesday night.

The Mallards were denied all three points with Glenavon grabbing a late equaliser in a keenly fought encounter.

The visitors had started the game the brighter and had chances to open their account through Andy McGrory and Mark Sykes.

But the home side came closest to taking the lead with Ryan Mayse denied by Glenavon keeper Jonny Tuffey.

In the second half, United keeper Richard Brush was called into action as he pushed an effort from McGrory onto the bar - and then produced another smart save to deny sub James Gray in the next Glenavon attack.

The Mallards took the lead on 75 minutes with Josh McIlwaine getting on the end of a fine cross by Niall Owens.

At that stage, a home win looked likely and the points should have been sealed when Owens broke clear with only the keeper to beat.

However, Tuffey made the save and how crucial that was to prove as a shot from player manager Gary Hamilton took a deflection on the way into the net for 1-1.

There was still time for Glenavon to try to snatch a dramatic win, but Brush did well to deny Rhys Marshall right at the death.