Ballinamallard Utd 0 Crusaders 1

Ballinamallard lost out in a tight contest against League leaders Crusaders at Ferney Park today with Jordan Forysthe's 28th minute goal proving decisive.

However, the Mallards more than held their own over the course of the contest and wasted some good chances in the first half as they remain tenth in the table.

Indeed, manager Gavin Dykes could not fault his players.

"I thought we were very good today and I can't fault the way we played or the effort. We created a couple fo great chances and when you have the league champions hanging on we are doing something right. If we play like that and bring that attitude into the second part of the season we will be fine,” he stated.

Ballinamallard began the game on the front foot and had a great chance to take the lead after only six minutes.

Adam Lecky's back heel put Johnny Lafferty throughn on goal but he hesitated in getting his shot away and it allowed Crues defender Michael Gault to get back and make the block.

Lafferty was again in the thick of it shortly after as he was played in on the left hand side by the lively Shane McGinty but despite beating Crues goalkeeper Sean O'Neill, Lafferty's shot cannoned back of the crossbar.

After a slow start, Crusaders did begin to work their way into the contest and with 28 minutes gone they swooped for what was the only goal of the game.

Space opened up in front of Forsythe and he raced forward before firing a low shot to the net beyond debutant goalkeeper Cameron Crawford.

The Mallards did have a chance late in the half to grab an equaliser but Lecky saw his effort saved by O'Neill as it reamined 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw little in the way of chances at either end.

Lafferty had a header that was comfortably gathered by O'Neill while at the other end Jordan Owens fired over from close range while David Cushley saw a free kick from the right drop on to the top of the bar.

The Mallards pushed for an equaliser late on with a series of balls into the box but they could find no way through the Crusaders defence as the visitors held on to secure the points and maintain their five point advantage at the top of the table.