Ballinamallard United manager Harry McConkey was left frustrated as his side failed to take all three points from their derby encounter against Dergview at Ferney Park on Tuesday night.

The Mallards dominated for long spells, especially in the first half, but they didn’t make it count as their wait for a first win of the campaign goes on.

“I think it is hugely disappointing for us, we need to be winning our home games. That is something that we have set ourselves, to make this a fortress and a difficult place for teams to come and get points,” he said.

“At half time, there is no doubt that Tommy (Canning) would have been rounding his troops up because we had them all over the place and we were well on top but we didn’t capitalise on it in front of goal, and that’s what counts.

“You have to put that ball over the line and sadly the players didn’t get the rewards they deserved.

“At the same time we have to look at that as coaches and ask the question why because we can’t keep dominating game for big spells and not having something to show for it.”

Dergview did make life more difficult for the Mallards in the second half as they closed down the home side’s threats in the wide areas that had served them well in the first 45 minutes.

And McConkey admits that his side didn’t show enough quality after the break.

“For a lot of the second half we chose the more direct option and maybe that wasn’t always the best choice. There is no doubt that they rallied themselves at half time and they defended with their lives and clearly they doubled up on Peter Campbell who was causing them a problem.

“I felt at times we should have stretched them much more in the wide areas as we got great joy in those areas in the first half but then they closed those doors for us.

“I don’t think we played enough quality football in the second half to break them down and I don’t know how much their goalkeeper was worked,” he said.

It is now three draws from the Mallards opening three league games with only one goal scored and while McConkey knows that must improve, he stresses that they must not panic either.

“What we must do is not panic. We are seeing a level of performance from the players and I cannot question their effort or their commitment and there is a good spirit within the camp.

“But, I also know that you need that result to cement things and at the moment those results have not been there for us.

“The front line do need to be producing goals, and when I look at the players I have on that front line I do expect goals - and there will be goals - but that needs to be sooner rather than later because that can lead to frustration when you are constantly on top but not putting the ball away.”

On a more positive note, the Ducks have been solid defensively with only one goal conceded to date and that is an area that has pleased the Ballinamallard boss.

“We made a wee change in the shape having lost Ben (McCann) on Saturday, which was a blow for us.

“But, Peter has come in from Sligo and he has played a lot of U19 football and he said himself after the Ballyclare game that he couldn’t get over the tempo of the game and the physicality of the game but I thought he adjusted very well tonight.

“Him and Mark (Stafford) looked comfortable together and I was pleased with Arko (Aaron Arkinson) and Darragh Byrne too,” he added.

The quest for that first win now moves to the Brandywell on Saturday for a meeting with Institute and McConkey wants to see a desire to get into the box and get goals from his attackers.

Desire

“It is a big pitch and an open pitch and the last time we played there it was another game that we dominated a lot of but conceded two sloppy goals so we can’t afford to do that.

“I thought against Dergview the back line and midfield worked very hard and the attack are also very involved in the link up play but we just need that hunger and desire to get into the box and get the final touch.

Hopefully we can get that on Saturday,” he said.