Northern Ireland Milk Cup 2009; It was the win that got away as far as Fermanagh's premier outfit was concerned on Tuesday evening. They outplayed the Mexican visitors for much of the game, and even though they finished the game on the attack, a second half equaliser by Kane Connor was all they could muster.

Manager Paul Keenan had every reason, however, to be delighted with his side's first point, as Fermanagh turned in an excellent performance which encouraged the county support at a sunny Limavady Showgrounds.

Fermanagh must have been wondering how they went in 1-0 down at half-time. They had much the better of the first period, putting the Mexicans under pressure for long spells. But somehow couldn't quite get the breakthrough.

Manager Paul Keenan made some positional changes and Fermanagh started in determined fashion with Kane Connor and John Joe Strain looking commanding in midfield. In fact, as the half wore on Connor looked increasingly influential.

An early cross from skipper Willie Kempton gave an early indication of the county's boys intentions.

But after only five minutes, Fermanagh were hit by a sucker punch when Cruz Azul's Aaron Padilla found himself unmarked and he calmly lobbed keeper Ciaran McBrien for a well-taken opener.

This seemed to unsettle the county boys for a few minutes and their passing became a little sloppy.

But they then began to get it together and mounted a series of attacks.

Firstly, Matthew Higginbotham broke into the box, but was nudged off the ball -- fairly according to the referee, but if the honest youngster had gone down it may well have been different.

The incident certainly gave Fermanagh some heart and they were passing the ball much better.

Connor went on a good run through the heart of midfield and released Higginbotham whose deep cross was fumbled briefly by the keeper. But the ball had gone over the line.

Connor, Ben Brown and Higginbotham played a neat triangle down the right to release Mike Haveron who forced a corner.

Then Christopher Sheridan outpaced a defender before hitting a good shot on the turn which went just over.

On 24 minutes, a good move created an opening for Strain but keeper Macias was out well to smother.

Despite all the pressure, Fermanagh couldn't get the breakthrough and conceded a free kick outside their box. Then we had the unusual sight of the Mexican keeper Victor Macias coming up to take the free. But it was soft enough and McBrien gathered easily.

Fermanagh came out all guns blazing in the second half, and immediately Haveron sidestepped a defender and fired in a shot which the keeper turned round the post.

And then Sheridan forced his way through, but didn't connect properly.

It looked all Fermanagh at this stage.

Without finding the boost of a goal, though, Fermanagh lost a little momentum and when the Mexicans fizzed a shot across McBrien's goal it served as something of a warning.

Then Josue Treje dragged a shot wide.

And with Steven Smyth forced off injured to be replaced by Ruairi McGrade and Kempton feeling the effects of a knock, it could have looked ominous for the Fermanagh side.

True to their character, however, they lifted their game again.

Then came the equaliser. After much good build-up play, as often happens it was a hopeful ball into the air which unsettled the Mexicans. Simon Johnston played it in and Kane Connor burst forward and got his head to it to send the ball past the keeper and into the far corner.

Now Cruz Azul were really under pressure and defender Aldo Amador misheaded and was grateful to see it go back to his keeper.

After two tough days, tiredness was creeping in and after physio Paul Rafferty treated Sheridan for cramp, the hardworking front man had to give way for substitute Adam Stockdale.

Stockdale fitted in on the left side, with a slight rearrangement of the side.

But they kept coming forward.

The Mexicans made a series of substitutions as well, and Melendes struck a tremendous drive which McBrien was glad to see go past the upright.

Haveron chased another long ball and got a header in, but with no joy.

Then McBrien came to the rescue with a save low to his right as both teams chased the winner.

Going into injury time, the pressure was beginning to tell on the Mexicans and the game became a little niggly, needing the referee to calm things down.

John Currie was introduced for Haveron, and then Stockdale broke down the left to drive in a tremendous cross. However, with tiring legs no one was able to get on the end of it.

It was a great finish, but Fermanagh were just unable to get the winner they surely deserved.

Manager Keenan said he was, nonetheless, delighted with the point.

"Cruz Azul are one of the clubs with a great Academy set up. They beat us 4-0 a couple of years ago, so this was a big step forward for us," said Keenan.

"The boys showed a lot of effort after losing to Fenerbache and we could have won it. This has given them a real lift," concluded Keenan.