Mark Stafford has called on his players to learn from their mistakes after he watched his team throw away a lead and take nothing from their visit to Armagh City. 

Late goals have proved costly to the Mallards multiple times this season, but it was an eighteen-minute spell just after halftime that proved pivotal in their latest defeat, as a one-nil advantage quickly became a 3-1 deficit. 

“It was a very disappointing result,” acknowledged the manager.  

“There was a lot of good things on Saturday, but as has been the way all season, we just hand the initiative away to teams.

"It is important we learn from it. The penny has to drop sometime.  

"Danny Barker’s performance was a big positive and it was great to see him get two more goals, but we just haven’t got the points over the line. Two weeks in a row we have been one nil up at halftime, and we have nothing to show for our work in either of the two games.” 

Ballinamallard have taken the lead in nine of their thirteen league matches this season, but have only won four of those games.

Saturday’s defeat was to follow a familiar pattern, as a positive opening spell eventually yielded nothing. “We started the game very well again,” said Stafford.  

“We forced their keeper into a few good saves and we go in at halftime one nil up and happy with our performance.

"Then we go out and concede after ninety seconds, and go on to concede three goals in eighteen minutes and make it very hard for ourselves.  

"We conceded three disappointing goals.  The boys rallied again and we pulled one back, but there was just too much to do for us.” 

The defeat leaves Ballinamallard languishing in tenth spot in the NIFL Championship.  

They are just one point above the relegation play-off spot and five points adrift of Ballyclare Comrades in ninth ahead of Saturday’s Ferney Park clash with Limavady.  

“We have another tough game at the weekend,” acknowledged Stafford.  

“We have a lot to do. We need to try and regroup and go again. There is no other way around it.  

"Limavady are obviously going into the game full of confidence. They came from two goals down at halftime to win 3-2 against a very good Dundela team last Saturday.

"They are a team very much in the ascendancy. They don’t seem to change much.

"They are getting a similar eleven players out on the pitch most weeks and they are looking a very good, strong side. It is going to be a big challenge for us at home.”

"Peter Maguire will face a late fitness test ahead of the match as he looks to overcome his hamstring injury, but the manager is not expecting any of the other players on his injured list to return to action in time for the fixture."