Enniskillen Athletic 2 Magheraveely 2

Enniskillen Athletic and Magheraveely shared Saturday’s points as Athletic were unable to close the gap on the away side who came back twice to equalise through a brace from Andy Little.

An Athletic win would have put them level on points with eight placed Magheraveely with two games in hand. Enniskillen Athletic manager Darren Rodgers was left disappointed to see his side not pick up the three points after going in front twice.

“We played well Saturday, in a game that was pretty even and a good battling performance. But we created the better chances and were leading twice but couldn’t hold on. Their keeper made three good saves in the first half, and they took one off the line as well.”

Dermot Lewsley gave Athletic the lead after seven minutes at the Lakeland Forum.

A free kick from wide was played into Lewsley who, just inside the box, headed the ball back across the goal into the far side of the net for an ideal start for the home side.

Jake Smith went close to adding a second only a few moments later when his free kick from 25 yards curled around the wall and was only to be denied by a fantastic save from goalkeeper Connor Smith.

The away side worked themselves back into the game after a dominant opening period from Athletic. Andy Little found space on the left wing and was played through on goal before finishing neatly to the bottom right corner to level things ten minutes before half time.

It was an even and scrappy start to the second half under difficult conditions on the soft grass Forum pitches with both sides taking efforts from long range.

Athletic edged themselves back in front on the hour mark after a cross into the box was handled by a Magheraveely defender and Conor Love slotted home from the penalty spot.

Little’s equaliser came 15 minutes from the end as he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper James Maguire and this time, he finished low at the near post to make it 2-2.

Colm McNally fired over from a tight angle with five minutes to go and Aaron Nolan had a header cleared off the line in the final minute as both sides settled for a point in the end.

Athletic will face a tricky test away to Lisbellaw on Saturday, with Rodgers adding: “It will be another tough game. But we are on a wee run now and will fancy our chances.”