Ballinamallard Utd 1 Linfield 2 Ballinamallard were denied a point by Stephen Lowry's late stunner for Linfield at Ferney Park today.

Gavin Dykes side had looked lively, especially in the first half and they went in at the break with the lead thanks to Ryan Curran's first goal for the club.

However, Linfield levelled five minutes into the second half and David Healy's charges kept alive their title hopes when Lowry crashed home from 20 yards with four minutes to go to see them cut the gap at the top to four points.

It was tough though on the Mallards who played their part in an entertaining affair.

With Ryan Mayse, Shane McGinty and Ryan Curran all lively in attack they caused problems for the Blues backline with Mayse having an early effort saved by Gareth Deane.

Deane, who was standing in for Roy Carroll who is on Northern Ireland duty, made a couple of important saves during the afternoon.

Linfield bossed the possession in the opening period but the Mallards attacked with purpose and Mayse fired an effort into the side-netting after Deane had slipped as he came out to clear a punt forward.

At the other end Kirk Millar volley over but with 30 minutes gone Ballinamallard grabbed the lead. McGinty pushed the ball onto Curran and he arrowed a shot from the edge of the box to the bottom corner.

Linfield were almost level though three minutes later but Mallards goalkeeper Richard Brush made a fine save from Andy Waterworth while Linfield also had two great headed chances but failed to get either on target.

Indeed, on the stroke of half time Ballinamallard almost doubled their advantage as Johnny Lafferty picked out Mayse but Deane got down low to make a good save.

Linfield showed urgency at the start of the second half and within five minutes they were level through substitute Aaron Burns. Waterworth's pull back was not cleared by Colm McLaughlin and Burns was on hand to slot to the net.

Brush then saved from a Waterworth flick and Ryan McConnell headed clear from a Niall Quinn shot.

With eight minutes to go, Ballinamallard had a glorious chance to snatch the win when Jason McCartney capitalised on hesitancy by former Mallard Mark Stafford but his lob hit the top of the crossbar and four minutes later Linfield pounced for the winner.

A cross into the box was only headed out as far as Lowry and he sent a rasping drive into the top corner from 20 yards out to secure the victory.

With Carrick beaten on Friday night, the Mallards remain eight points clear of 11th spot as the league now moves into the split for the final five games.