Dundela 1 Ballinamallard United 0 

It is now four games without a victory for Ballinamallard as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Dundela at Wilgar Park.

Despite the opposition’s lofty league position, it was the Mallards that carved out the majority of the goalscoring chances in the match, but once again they failed to take advantage in front of goal as they lost out to a first-half strike from Jake Corbett.

Manager Tommy Canning had made three changes to the team that conceded four to Bangor the preceding week, with Ultan O’Grady making his first league start at the expense of the injured Gary Armstrong, and Ryan Morris and Darragh Byrne coming in for Simon Warrington and Dean Corrigan.

The Ballinamallard manager had called for a reaction from his players after their dismal defeat to Bangor, and they started well.

With only three minutes on the clock, a sliding challenge from Alex Holder inside his own half won possession, with Josh McIlwaine and James McGrath combining to set Holder through on goal, but with just the goalkeeper to beat his side-footed finish drifted just wide of the post.

The Mallards continued their bright start with Callum Moorehead driving at the Dundela defence, jinking past the full-back and firing in a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The goalkeeper fumbled his effort but the loose ball was hacked clear before McIlwaine could pounce.

Aaron Arkinson then started a move from the Mallard’s penalty area, with Darragh Byrne whipping in a dangerous cross that just evaded a stretching Moorehead.

Duns’ striker Jake Corbett lashed a shot over the bar from Mark Patton’s cutback, but the visitors were quickly back on the front foot with keeper Matthew McClurg gathering a long-range effort from Moorehead, and then racing out to shepherd Byrne away from goal when he threatened to get on the end of a Holder through ball.

Byrne then fired over the bar from 20 yards on his 100th appearance for the club, but in the 33rd minute, it was the league leaders that took the lead against the run of play.

Ballinamallard lost possession in their half and Lee Rea’s shot was blocked by Ryan Morris, but the ball fell kindly for Corbett who blasted past Jamie Ray from 12 yards out.

Ray then had to use his feet to keep out a back post header from Rea, and he recovered to keep out the follow-up shot from Ian Fletcher.

Byrne fired over the bar from long range as the first half ended with Ballinamallard on the attack again, and McIlwaine had an effort blocked early in the second half as the Mallards continued to press for an equaliser.

Moorehead then had a shot fumbled by the keeper, but he was able to regather the ball just ahead of the inrushing Simon Warrington.

Chances continue to flow for Ballinamallard without the reward of a goal.

Richie Johnston lofted a ball into the penalty area and McIlwaine headed down for Warrington. He laid the ball back to Moorehead who looked like he must score, but his shot from eight yards was saved by the keeper.

The game swung further in Dundela’s favour with 15 minutes remaining when McIlwaine received a harsh red card for a lunging tackle on Andy Hall.

Ray saved a tame effort from Burns, but Ballinamallard were still looking threatening despite their numerical disadvantage and almost snatched a draw late in the game when substitute Dylan Boyle raced clear, but his effort flashed just wide of the post as Dundela clung on for the slender victory.

The defeat leaves Ballinamallard in ninth spot in the league table, with one game remaining before the league splits in two for the final five matches.