A terrific Colm McLaughlin goal in the 70th minute earned Ballinamallard a deserved share of the spoils against Linfield at Ferney Park tonight.

The Mallards went into the game on the back of Friday night's 7-0 thumping at the hands of Warrenpoint Town but this was a much improved performance from the Mallards as they came from a goal down to grab a draw against Warren Feeney's Blues.

Ballinamallard had started the first half brightly with Davy Kee's early shot pushed away by Linfield goalkeeper Ross Glendinning although Mark Stafford was fortunate not to turn the ball into his own net, heading an Aaron Burns cross off the crossbar.

Johnny Lafferty then had a chance to put the Mallards in front but he fired over before Linfield made the breakthrough in the 39th minute through Andy Waterworth.

The goal though will go down as a mistake by Mallards goalkeeper Feargal Murphy who saw Waterworth's effort slip under his body to the back of the net.

The second half was slow to get going but the Mallards did begin to see more of the ball and the equaliser arrived with 20 minutes to go.

McLaughlin exchanged passes with first Johnny Lafferty and then Liam Martin before racing in on goal and confidently slotting beyond Glendinning to register his first goal for the club.

Waterworth had a late chance that he fired wide while Ballinamallard pressed hard at the end for the win but with neither side able to find a winner, the sides had to settle for a point apiece.