Ballinamallard manager Tommy Canning feels his side have once again demonstrated that they are a match for any team in the NIFL Championship, after another impressive showing at Ferney Park saw them take a point of league leaders Institute.

The Mallards carved out the clearer goalscoring chances in a fiercely contested match, with the boss believing there is now very little to choose between his team and the promotion contenders.

“It tells us that on any given day we are capable of living with the best teams in the league, but the difference now between us and the likes of Institute is that we need to turn defeats into draws, and draws into wins if we want to move forward,” said Canning.

“If anyone had come into the ground on Saturday they would have not been able to say which team was top of the table.

"Institute maybe have a bit more depth and experience in their squad, and they were able to bring seasoned players off the bench, but we were really, really happy with our performance. We would have loved to have won it, and it would have been a huge statement, but we will take our point and put it in the bank and move on and try to get something this Saturday.”

It took a last ditch block to deny John Edgar a late winner at Ferney, but the effort, desire and work rate of all the players delighted the manager and his coaching staff.

“I thought they did that in spades,” said Canning. “We were happy with how the players committed to the game, how they played, how they approached the game with their desire to put on a strong performance.

"They have never ever not turned up since I have been there, and Saturday was another step forward. They gave everything they had to the game. On another day we could have won it, but I suppose on another day we could have lost it.

"When you look at the last two games against Stute, we have lost both one nil and there has been a sting in the tail. As this game wore on it felt like a game that was in the balance and on the edge.

"It was a real ding-dong and there was no corner given. The two teams went at it for 90 minutes and the pendulum swung.

"In the first half, I thought we had the upper hand and had a couple of great chances. In the second half, they dominated the ball more and created a bit more but even at that we maybe had the best chance of that half late on.

"Either team could have won it, but it might have been harsh on either team given what they invested in the game.”

It was perhaps no surprise that the game finished goalless given the two teams hold the best two defensive records in the league.

Canning has been particularly pleased with Ballinamallard’s recent defensive displays, with the team recording four clean sheets in their last seven league games.

“We have had three clean sheets from the last four games at home,” said Canning. “Jamie Ray has three clean sheets, which is brilliant for him.

"He entered into this spell knowing he was going to get a run of games that he maybe hadn’t got before at the club, and there were a couple of moments but he is still learning his way, and it's great for him and his confidence.

"And it is not just down to him. He is playing behind a team that is prepared to work hard and a back three or four that is also very strong, so that part of our game we are really happy with.”

Next up for Ballinamallard is a trip to Larne to play Newington. The Mallards are just one point ahead of Saturday’s opponents in the league table, and Canning is expecting a difficult encounter.

“Newington are a tough opponent,” he said. “They are very different in how they play to most championship teams, and you can overlook them a bit maybe because of their league position or the fact they don’t have a home ground, but they are a fully committed team.

"They are full of energy and full of running, and they have just signed Rory Donnelly from Glentoran which is a serious signing for them.

"They will be a good side, especially up at Larne with the room and the space on the pitch and the way they like to play on the counter-attack.

"There was a sting in the tail against them at Ferney Park when they scored in the 95th minute to win 2-1.

"I expect a similar type of game to that. There will not be a lot between the two teams and hopefully, we can come out on the right side of it this time.”

Peter Maguire is expected to return, with Aaron Smyton the only other injury doubt in Canning’s squad.