Ballinamallard manager Harry McConkey was delighted with the character shown by his side as they twice came from behind to bring to an end an eight game losing run by earning a 2-2 draw away to Loughgall on Saturday.
Having performed well against Crusaders in the League Cup four days earlier, McConkey was worried about the test they would face on Saturday but he was pleased with the response that he got.
“I was really pleased with the character they showed. On Tuesday night we were on a nice crisp 4G pitch against Crusaders and we caused the champions some problems, but my greatest fear from all that was that we would go to a very different pitch in difficult conditions against a very different opposition who are right in your face all the time. I have to say though that I was delighted that the boys stood up in what was a totally different environment to play in,” he said.
The day did not get off the best start when the Mallards conceded early on but they settled into the game and twice managed to reply after going behind.
“We had gone out with this great intention of being in their face and causing them problems but we went 1-0 down early on and that could have been very hard to take. The great thing was that we came back and got our goal and at half time it was still a very bubbly changing room knowing that we had shown character to come back and that there was more to come. 
“Again we conceded early on and you thought that this was going to be an even more difficult afternoon but in fairness they came back again.
“We had chances then to go 3-2 up but the ultimate thing for me was Chris Kelly putting his head on the line to head off the line late on. It was nice to go away from home and score two goals and although we could have won it, mentally the key thing was that we didn’t lose it,” he added.
The Mallards have no league game this weekend but a North West Cup match against Ardstraw will give McConkey a chance to give players game time.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to give players game time but it is also an opportunity to build on the result we got last week and we won’t be taking this game in any way lightly.”