Ballinamallard 0 Ards 2

Two goals in the last five minutes left ten man Ballinamallard still searching for their first win of the season as they lost 2-0 to Ards today at Ferney Park.

It was difficult one though for the Mallards to take after the home side had been the better side for long periods despite playing with ten men for the entire second half after Josh McIlwaine was sent off just before half time.

“It was very tough to take," said Mallards boss Gavin Dykes. "I thought we were the better side and we played really well, especially when we went down to ten men. When you are down there though these things go against you. I feel sorry for the players, they are gutted and I couldn't have asked any more of them."

There was little in the way of clear cut chances in the first half although Jonathan Leddy did force a good save out of Ards goalkeeper Aaron Hogg.

The key moment of the half though arrived in the 44th minute as McIlwaine, who was already on a booking, picked up a second yellow for a rash challenge on Guillaume Keke.

The home side though made light of the numerical disadvantage as Ryan Curran twice went close after the break while Shane McGinty forced Hogg into a low save.

Leddy then had a header cleared off the line as the ten men pushed for the win.

However, with five minutes to go Johnny Frazer headed Ards ahead although the Mallards almost levelled straight away as Jason McCartney pulled a good save out of Hogg from a header.

As the Mallards pressed for an equaliser though they were caught out and Ards wrapped things up as Frazer fed Michael McClellan who tucked away from close range.