Lisnaskea Rovers 2 Newtownstewart United 1

Lisnaskea Rovers returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over third-placed Newtownstewart United last Thursday night at Castle Park.

Ryan Rooney’s 89th-minute winner grabbed all three points for the home side in what was a much closer contest following Rover’s 6-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Lisnaskea Rovers Manager Shane O’Donnell said he was delighted with the win.

“So proud of the boys – they showed unbelievable fight and had a never-say-die attitude.

“The subs definitely won the game for us, contributing with big moments at the right times, all five of them. Ste Jeffers got us back to 1-1, and then Ryan Rooney stayed cool to score his late goal.

“Jamie McCaffrey, Sean Conlon and Jimmy Tormey also played their part off the bench. I’m really happy with the win and the performance.

“We have a big game against Omagh Albion up next, but things are all good at the moment for us,” he said.

The sides were level on points heading into Thursday’s top-of-the-table clash at Castle Park, and it did not disappoint for the neutral with a flowing game of football that was end-to-end at times.

Brian McDermott was at the centre of Rovers’ attacking play but he was unable to convert a couple of key chances to open the scoring.

Eimhin Curran missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after he rounded the Newtownstewart goalkeeper, but his effort hit the side of the net.

Eoghan Curran thought he had made it 1-0 half an hour in when his shot was heading straight for the top corner, only to be denied by a great save from United’s goalkeeper.

McDermott again went close with a short-range effort just past half time, but after a quiet first half for the Newtownstewart attack, they struck first with a fantastic free kick from Damian McCrossan that gave Rovers goalkeeper Matthew McGrade no chance of stopping, with just over an hour played.

Substitute Steve Jeffers responded three minutes later after being introduced ten minutes beforehand when he rose highest to convert Jimmy Tormey’s cross.

Referee Michael Hynes turned down a strong shout for a Lisnaskea penalty as they pushed for a late winner, and their persistence eventually paid off as Sean Keenan’s through ball released Ryan Rooney’s pace, and he stayed cool to send Rovers a point clear at the top ahead of Ardstraw.

Omagh Albion is next for Rovers while Newtownstewart play strugglers, Enniskillen Rovers.