Enniskillen Athletic 3

Tummery Athletic 4

Enniskillen Athletic will be wondering how they came away from this game with nothing to show for their efforts as they led at three different stages, but ultimately it was not to be enough.

A controversial fourth goal for the defending league champions was enough to take the maximum three points in a game which was played at a high intensity.

Athletic could not have asked for a better start to proceedings as they went one up within the first couple of minutes.

A Tummery corner was cleared as far as John Joe Strain, and he found Conor Burns who found the top corner of the net with a fine strike.

Tummery put on the pressure for an equaliser and had a couple of chances to level before Ciaran Beacom got on the end of a cross to prod the ball past Ryan McNulty, 1-1.

With 22 minutes played, Athletic went fortuitously back in front through Conor Love.

His effort from distance slipped under Niall McCrory and rolled into the net.

Again, Tummery went in search of an equaliser and with less than 10 minutes until the half, a great cross from Marty Hughes found Aidy McCaffrey at the back post to make it 2-2 and that was the way it was until the half.

The second half was only five minutes old when the home side were back in front. Love picked the ball up in the Tummery box and he hit a right footed shot which beat McCrory at his near post.

Less than five minutes later, it was all square again as Athletic failed to deal with a corner and Beacom headed in at the back post.

Tummery were having the better chances but some great saves from McNulty kept them out before, with 20 minutes to play, the decisive moment came.

Another great save from McNulty fell to Hughes who bundled the ball to the net to make it 4-3.

Athletic players protested that Hughes and the ball were out of play, but these were dismissed by the referee and the goal stood with Tummery holding onto the lead until the full-time whistle.

For Athletic manager, Anthony Fitzpatrick, he felt the loss a tough one to take: “Losses are hard to take at the best of times but to lose a game after leading three times and the manner in which they scored the winner which was clearly out of play, was heart-breaking.

“But there were also a lot of positives and if we play like that every week, we will be fine.”

For Tummery boss, Ryan Hanna he was pleased with his side’s performance despite a number of changes to the squad.

“I thought we were the better side for the most part, just disappointed in the manner we conceded. In saying that, Athletic made it very difficult for us. They started the game more brightly and were dangerous on the counter attack throughout.

“However, we created several really good chances on top of the goals we scored with McNulty making a couple of excellent saves.

“There are no easy games in this league as Saturday proved.”