Ballinamallard United 1 Armagh City 3

Ballinamallard United have still not put together back-to-back wins this season, as they went down 3-1 to Armagh City at Ferney Park.

Despite a bright opening from the home team, it was newly promoted Armagh who capitalised from a long throw-in to take a first-half lead through Conor Mullen.

Ugochukwu Anny-Nzekwue doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second-half and Mullen added a third midway through the half.

Darragh Stewart pulled a goal back to make three goals in his last four games, but the Mallards could not stage a late recovery as they slipped to seventh in the table.

Ballinamallard were forced into a change in midfield after Aaron Harkin was ruled out through injury.

With Gary Armstrong also out injured manager Mark Stafford was forced to shift defender Ryan Morris into a more advanced position alongside James McGrath with Sean McAteer coming in to make his first start for the club in an otherwise unchanged line up from the side that won at Limavady.

Ballinamallard made a confident start to the game, edging the early possession as they looked to build on their victory over Limavady.

McAteer was the first to test Armagh goalkeeper Connor Byrne, and moments later he was called into action again when Ballinamallard captain Aaron Arkinson curled an effort from distance.

Ballinamallard continued to press forward and McAteer had a low shot gathered by Byrne before City’s first effort at goal after 20 minutes.

Scott McCann blazed a shot over the bar from just outside the penalty area, but moments later City took the lead when the Mallards failed to deal with a long throw-in and Mullen poked the ball past Joel Little.

Darragh Stewart then had a shot saved by Byrne, before Anny-Nzekwue got on the end of a deep Armagh free kick but he could not get any power on his header and Little gathered with ease.

10 minutes into the second-half Anny-Nzekwue again managed to get his head to a free kick, but this time his effort beat Little to double the away side’s lead.

Ballinamallard were still looking dangerous when in possession and they put together a good passing team move, with Stewart and McGrath combining before McAteer curled a shot narrowly wide of the upright.

Any hopes of a late fightback were all but extinguished with City’s third after 72 minutes, when Mullen fired home from another free kick.

Stewart reduced the deficit with his third goal in his last four games after 81 minutes, heading home the rebound after Barker’s initial shot was saved, and that sparked a flurry of late chances for the home team.

A deep free kick was headed back across goal by Joshua McIlwaine but Barker’s drive rose over the bar.

McGrath then saw his free kick saved by Byrne, and the keeper also stopped a half-volley from Barker as Armagh held on to take the victory.