Institute....1 Dergview..1 A HOTLY-disputed penalty converted by Michael McCrudden three minutes from time denied the first team victory at Drumahoe on Saturday.
With ‘Stute down to nine men following the dismissals of Sean McCarron and Daryl McDermott and the visitors leading through a second half strike by Ivan Sproule, referee Neil Robinson controversially pointed to the spot after adjudging that Jude Ballard had handled in the box.
There appeared to be no immediate danger when the midfielder controlled a bouncing ball with his chest before hoofing clear. The match official, to the amazement of the large travelling support, ruled Ballard had used an arm and McCrudden duly made no mistake by hammering his spot-kick inside Kealan Mulcahy’s right post.
The circumstances surrounding the late equaliser was a bitter pill to swallow for the visitors although Richard Clarke’s side still had two late opportunities to grab a winner but Ballard volleyed horribly over while Sproule was denied when one-on-one with ‘Stute stopper Marty Gallagher.
Sproule had fired the Darragh Park outfit into a 56th-minute lead before McCarron saw red for a horrendous challenge on Gareth Porter. Twelve minutes from time McDermott walked for a second bookable offence when hauling down Sproule.
While the penalty decision proved decisive, Dergview were guilty of letting their opponents off the hook. By the time McDermott saw red, Kevin Deery’s charges were well and truly on the ropes and there for taking but the visitors failed to capitalise and ultimately paid the price.
In truth, Institute were first out of the blocks with striker Ryan Doherty going close twice in the opening exchanges. Just six minutes in the front man fired straight down Mulcahy’s throat after being ushered in by Ciaron Harkin and shortly afterwards the same player headed over.
In between Aaron Arkinson had an effort ruled out at the opposite end for offside before visiting ’keeper Mulcahy got firmly behind a low drive from McCarron.
For the remainder of the half it was Dergview who looked the more dangerous with Arkinson teeing up Campbell, who miss-kicked. Campbell then turned provider for strike partner Kyle Friel-Curran to lob wide before Duwayne McManus waltzed through to create space for Campbell, who was crowded out before he could get his shot away.
Arkinson and Sproule then combined on the right to create an opening for Campbell but Gallagher was equal to the striker’s low drive. Moments later Matty Buchanan had a goal-bound effort charged down before Sproule pulled back for Arkinson but again a defender got in the way of his shot.
The Castlederg side also began the second half on the front foot, and after Sproule had been denied by a last-ditch tackle, the former international broke the deadlock. A sweeping attack on the right ended with Campbell cushioning the ball into Sproule’s path and the former ‘Stute favourite coolly steered low past Gallagher.
Thereafter the visitors appeared in control of their destiny and when McCarron and McDermott received their marching orders there looked no way back for the hosts. But there was to be a sting in the tail and right the death ‘Stute snatched the most unlikely of equalisers to stay fourth in the table. Dergview remain top on goal difference.
Institute: Gallagher, Morrow, McFadden, McDermott, Scoltock, O'Donnell, Cooley, C. Harkin, McCarron, R. Doherty, McCrudden subs D. Curry (not used), McIntyre (replaced Cooley 64), Pomeroy (replaced R. Doherty 64), Jarvis (replaced Morrow 75), H. Doherty (not used)
Dergview: Mulcahy, G. Porter, Robinson, Falconer, M. Buchanan, I. Sproule, Arkinson, McManus, Ballard, Campbell, Curran subs S. Porter (not used), Lynch (not used), McBride (replaced Arkinson 74), A. Buchanan (not used), Cashel (replaced Curran 78)
Referee: Neil Robinson
