Ballinamallard 1 Cliftonville 2

Ballinamallard slipped to a fourth defeat of the campaign as they went down 2-1 to Cliftonville at Ferney Park today.

The key moment of the game came in the 27th minute when the Mallards had attacker Liam Flatley red carded for a challenge on Cliftonville defender Jason McGuinness.

That decision appeared harsh to say the least and left the Mallards playing the majority of the contest with ten men.

And to make matters worse the visitors took the lead five minutes later through Darren Murray.

However, Ballinamallard responded well and deservedly went in at the break level when Adam Lecky capitalised on poor goalkeeper from Jason Mooney. Liam McMenamin's free kick into the box was spilled by Mooney and Lecky gratefully tucked the ball to the net in added on time at the end of the half to leave it 1-1.

Cliftonville regained the lead in the 65th minute when Ryan McConnell turned the ball into his own net following good work from former Mallards Chris Curran who had only come into the game moments earlier.

Ballinamallard though had a wonderful chance to take a draw from the game when they were awarded a penalty after Lecky went down in the box. But it was more penalty woe for the Mallards, who missed a spot kick last week to seal all three points against Carrick, as Jason McCartney pushed his shot past the post as Cliftonville held on for a 2-1 win.

Mallards boss Dykes was in no doubt that referee Keith Kennedy got the sending off call wrong while he knows that missed penalties are proving costly for his side.

“It was never a sending off. There was no malice or intent, he was trying to stop going into him and it changed the whole complexion of the game. It is hard enough for us to play with eleven men against Cliftonville. It was a poor decision but referees are only human.

“I'm exceptionally proud of the way we played but it's a ruthless game. We have dropped four points from missing two penalty kicks in two games and at this level you can't afford to do that,” stated Dykes.