Ballinamallard’s destructive habit of conceding late goals this season has finally put an end to their hopes of a top half finish in the NIFL Championship.

The Mallards looked destined to move into fifth spot in the Championship table as goals from Ronan McKinley and Josh McIlwaine gave them a 2-1 lead over Knockbreda with only minutes remaining, but the home team scored twice in the dying moments of the game to the frustration of manager Harry McConkey.

‘April Fool’

“If you had told me at 88 minutes that we were going to lose this game I would have said it was a good April Fool!” said the manager.

“The players had worked tirelessly for each other and had overcome the blow of conceding an equaliser to go straight up the pitch and score.

“It really did look like it was going to be another great day for the club, lifting us to fifth place and with a real opportunity to attack for fourth.

“Then bang, we implode with two lapses in concentration, and now we are in a whole different ball game. It was a cruel blow.

“Yet again it was one of those horrible cruel endings that we have had too often this season, and the significance of it was massive for us.”

Despite the slender nature of Ballinamallard’s lead in the second half the manager felt confident his side could hold off the advances of the Knockbreda attack, but they were undone by a great strike from Portadown’s on loan teenager Igor Rutkowski.

“We looked like a team that had put in a very brave away performance and we were going to get the rewards we deserved, but football can turn things on its head,” admitted McConkey.

“I had really hoped that we could make the top six because of the way we have been playing, even though we have been on our last legs in terms of the numbers of senior players we have fit and available.

“You look at the players we had out, and yet for 88 minutes we dominated parts of the game and on a very difficult surface played some decent football, but we have hurt ourselves again.”

On a day of bitter disappointment for the manager, he was able to take comfort from the performance of several of the club’s youth graduates, who have impressed since making the step up from the reserves. Striker Nick Palmer came on at half time for his fifth league appearance of the season, and 18 year old left back Aaron Smyton impressed on his first league start.

“Aaron was probably man of the match for me,” said the manager. “He did very well when he came on against Annagh, and he continued on from there. He looked very comfortable, and not only did he defend well but he gave us a lot of attacking options.

“That was one of the great plusses from the day. We are seeing the development of some very good youngsters in Aaron and Nick Palmer. We have also had a bench of youngsters these last few games because of our injuries and suspensions. That experience will do them no harm, and further down the line the club will get the benefit of that.”

Instead of what could have been a game against leaders Loughgall, Ballinamallard will travel to Solitude to play Newington this Saturday.

McConkey admits it is not the fixture he was hoping for, but is adamant the squad will continue to give everything to finish the season strongly.

“We have to stay in a positive mindset for these next five games because it is so important we finish the season with a bit of pride,” he said.

“We have beaten Newington once this season and drawn twice with them at home, so we know we are in for another very demanding and challenging game.

“It’s not somewhere I wanted to be, but it is where we are and in this league it is relentless. Whether you are top or bottom you have a challenge every week.”

Ballinamallard will welcome back Peter Maguire from suspension for the Newington match, but Ronan McKinley is a doubt for the game after picking up a hamstring strain. Ryan Morris and Shane McGinty will face late fitness tests, with Darragh Byrne expected to remain sidelined for at least one more week.