Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes felt his side were worthy of the point they gained from their meeting with Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on Tuesday night.

And the Mallards boss expects to have his hand strengthened for this Saturday's cup tie against Warrenpoint with goalkeeper Richard Brush and striker Ryan Curran waiting on international clearance to complete their moves to the Ferney Park outfit.

On Tuesday night, an incident packed encounter saw Swifts take an early lead and then miss a penalty at the start of the second half before the Mallards equalised with a penalty of their own from Adam Lecky.

Dungannon looked to have secured all three points when Douglas Wilson fired home four minutes from time and Lecky’s last action for the club before leaving for Australia saw him sent off after picking up a second yellow card. However, 16-year-old Niall Owens was the calmest man in the place as he tucked home in added on time to ensure the Mallards a share of the spoils.

“Any time you get a point away from home, it’s a good point,” said Dykes. “With four or five minutes to go we gave away a poor goal from a corner but the reaction we got from that was great and I felt we deserved to get the equaliser and to get something out of the game.”

The Mallards had started the game poorly, conceding after two minutes but Dykes thought they grew into the game and produced some quality football.

“We never started for the first 15 minutes and we had spoken beforehand about the need to get a fast start but we were terrible early on. Eventually we grew into it and I think in fairness to us we passed the ball as well as he have in a long time. We worked really, really hard and and this could be a big point, especially with Carrick also getting a point tonight. It is crucial for us,” he added.

Goal scorer Owens is one that the Mallards have high hopes for although Dykes stresses the need to be careful with the attacker.

“He is a smashing footballer but we’ve just got to mind him as he is only 16 years of age. This is a physical league and and welcomed to the league a couple of times but his finish was top notch. It was a calm side-foot into the net and I’m delighted for him, he has a very bright future in the game. I think he can play at a very high level but at the moment we are just happy to have him,” he commented.

The game though was the last for Adam Lecky, who has been a revelation up front, as he heads to Australia, and he is going to be a big loss according to the Mallards boss.

“With the sending off that’s going to be his last game and he has been fantastic for us.

“I’ve asked him to play centre forward and that’s 11 goals he has now which is an outstanding contribution for a fella who has never played up there. We’ll miss him,” added Dkyes.

On a positive note though there was a return after a year out for defender Colm McLaughlin.

“I thought Colm McLaughlin was outstanding on his return from a long term injury and he is going to be like a new signing for us.”

Next up for the Mallards is a cup clash away to Warrrenpoint and Dykes is hopeful of having goalkeeper Richard Brush and striker Ryan Curran available for the game.

“We’re waiting on international clearance for Brush and Curran but hopefully they will be able to play on Saturday. With Lecky going Curran will hopefully come in and help us,” he said.

Dykes is also keen on a loan signing while he is close to making Ryan McConnell’s deal permanent.

“We have an eye on one more but it will probably go towards the end of the window. We are sort of waiting for the crumbs from the big table but there is a lot of things going on and if we can get one more in it will be great.

“Also we have hopefully got a permanent deal done for Ryan McConnell who has been tremendous for us. I’m very happy with what we’ve done and I want to thank the board for backing me,” he stated.