Strathroy Harps 3 Enniskillen Town 3
Eoin Beacom grabbed a late equaliser for ten man Enniskillen Town as they came from behind to snatch a share of the spoils against Strathroy Harps on Saturday.
The league leaders, who were held to a draw by Killen the previous week, had led after seven minutes through Kane Connor but two quick yellow cards for Callum Jones left them with ten men for the remaining 80 minutes.
And Strathroy took advantage as goals from Caolan McCrossan and Simon O’Neill had the home side in front by the break.
Town did level from the spot through Conall Quinn but the Harps edged back ahead when Corey Wood slotted home.
Town though made sure that they at least returned home with a point when Beacom rolled home at the death to leave it 3-3.
The point leaves Town seven points ahead of Tummery in the table although the holders have three games in hand. The sides though still have to play each other in what could be a title showdown at the end of the season.
For Town joint manager James McKenna the focus is getting back to winning ways this weekend away to Beragh Swifts with the table toppers having three massive games left, the Beragh game is followed by games against Enniskillen Rangers and that Tummery encounter.
“The way we are looking at it is that we have three games left and if we win them all we win the league,” said McKenna.
“On Saturday it is hard to know whether it was two points dropped or a point gained but having played with ten men for 80 minutes we will take the point. We will though be looking to get back to winning ways against Beragh. It is a tough game, they are one of only two teams to have beaten us this season, but we will hopefully have a few players back and we will be looking to get the three points,” he added.
Town could not have asked for a better start against Strathroy as they took the lead after seven minutes.
Conall Quinn drove forward before laying the ball off to Callum Jones and he squared for Connor to slot into the empty net for 1-0.
However, the visitors were down to ten men shortly after as Jones picked up two yellows in quick succession and Strathroy began to get on top after this.
The home side were back on level terms after 20 minutes when McCrossan produced a stunning finish past Newman to make it 1-1.
And Harps took the lead on the stroke of half time as O’Neill fired home from the edge of the box to leave it 2-1 at the interval.
To make matters worse Town had to withdraw captain Cathal Beacom at the break due to injury but they settled back into the game quickly and the away side had a chance to restore parity when they were awarded a penalty for hand ball.
However, Duwayne McManus saw his spot kick saved by Tiernan McNamee in the Strathroy goal.
But Town were then awarded a second spot kick when Jamal Tavares was brought down and on this occasion Quinn thumped the ball to the net for 2-2.
It looked as if it was not going to be Town’s day though when Corey took advantage of hesitancy by goalkeeper Newman to make it 3-2 to Harps with five minutes to go but Town, who had pushed Eoin Beacom up front, hit back as Beacom went up for a ball with McNamee and when it dropped in behind the keeper, Beacom took a touch before rolling home as the sides had to be content with a point apiece.
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