The Fermanagh Milk Cup Juniors continued their preparation for the 33rd Dale Farm Milk Cup on Saturday with a trip to Ballybofey to take on Finn Harps.

Fermanagh got off to a rip roaring start and within five minutes they took the lead as Niall Owens found time and space on the edge of the box and he fired a fine low drive off the back post and into the net.

Fermanagh started well and they were looking strong down the left hand side with Love and Robinson linking up well.

Despite their good start Fermanagh conceded a sloppy goal to the Donegal outfit. A long ball wasn’t dealt with by the Fermanagh defence and the attempted header back to Johnston took a wicked bounce off the firm surface and over the head of the ‘keeper, leaving the Finn Harps player with a tap in.

The hosts took the lead just before the interval with Fermanagh failing to clear their lines from a corner and the Finn Harps striker pounced on the ball in the six yard box and fired it into the roof of the net.

The depleted Fermanagh side took stock at half time and some minor tweaks ands adjustments were made by the coaching staff and they had their desired effect.

Irvine and McKervey soon began to boss the centre of the park and Owens, Love and Horan were all making in roads in the Finn Harps defence.

The equaliser duly arrived soon after as Love played the ball into the feet of Horan, who cleverly spun his marker and fired a stunning effort into the bottom corner from just inside the box.

Fermanagh bombarded the Finn Harps goal in the closing stages.

Horan hit the bar with a fine header and after good work from Sean Cassidy down the flank, the ball agonisingly bobbled across the six yard box after Cassidy had drilled the ball across the face of the goal.

Fermanagh just couldn’t find that elusive third goal and in the end Finn Harps held on for a share of the spoils.

This was an excellent run out for both teams on a superb surface at the home of the League of Ireland side.

Fermanagh manager Sam Gamble said he was happy with their performance particularly in the second half.

“We were quite depleted on Saturday, but in a way that was a good thing for us, as we had to play players in a few different positions and I know that it is a long week at the tournament and we need everyone to be flexible and versatile.

“If the game had of went on another five minutes on Saturday we would have scored, that I have no doubt about.

“We are steadily improving and the players are working hard in the gym and on the training field and we are set to peak nicely for the end of July and the boys are all desperate to stake their claim in the starting eleven for the Roma match.”