Enniskillen Town 4 Killen Rangers 4

Enniskillen Town had to be content with a share of the spoils after they played out an eight goal thriller against Killen Rangers on Saturday at St. Michael’s.

The league leaders looked to be in all sorts of trouble as Killen claimed a 3-1 lead before Cathal Beacom pulled a goal back just before half time to leave it 3-2 at the break.

The dismissal of Killen goalkeeper Paddy Morrison after he handled the ball outside the box appeared to swing the game back in the home side’s favour and Conall Quinn added to his first half strike with two further goals to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-3.

At this stage Town seemed to be in control and on their way to the points but in a rare Killen attack in the 88th minute they were awarded a penalty when Town joint manager James McKenna was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

Pat Cadden though saved Gareth Milligan’s spot kick and the ball was cleared.

But from the resultant throw in the ball was flicked on and centre half Adam Buchanan rifled to the corner to snatch a point for the visitors.

“It was points threw away in the end,” said McKenna. “It was a very poor defensive performance and at the other end we had enough chances to score six or seven goals. To go 4-3 up though with an extra man and not see it out is disappointing but we will just take the learnings from it and move on. You are never going to win all your games, every team can have an off day which we did.

“You have to give Killen credit too, they stayed in there and got the point.”

Town are still nine points clear in the table but Tummery have three games in hand and if they win those then the sides will be level with the two to meet again in the run in.

“There was a lot of rubbish being said about the league being over but Tummery always had those games in hand and we have always worked off the basis that they would win those. There is still a lot of football to be played,” added McKenna.

Next up for Town is an away game on Saturday against Strathroy Harps and McKenna expects a tough test. “It is never easy against Strathroy, on their day they are as good as anybody and it is a difficult pitch to play on.

“But, we will be going there looking to get back to winning ways,” he said.

Town had started the game well against Killen and Duwayne McManus and Jamal Tavares both missed early chances before the home side did take the lead through Quinn after 27 minutes.

Killen though hit right back with two goals in quick succession, both from corners. Stuart Duncan nodded home the first while soon after Darren Long turned in after slack marking from another corner.

And it got even better for Killen as they made it 3-1, Jordan Orr given time in the box to turn and slot to the corner of Cadden’s net.

Town did respond before the interval with Beacom arrowing a drive to the corner of the net and the Town captain was involved in the sending off of Morrison ten minutes into the second half.

He was put through on goal and Morrison raced out of his box but as Beacom attempted to put the ball past the keeper, he handled it and was shown a red card.

With the numerical advantage the home side gradually took control and they grabbed an equaliser following a fine finish from Quinn from the edge of the box.

And it looked as if Town had turned things right around when Quinn completed a hat-trick as he touched home a delightful cross from Beacom.

But then came the late drama that ended with Buchanan’s equaliser as the sides had to settle for a point apiece.