ALTHOUGH supporters and players alike were disappointed that Institute only picked up a point against Ballymena United, on Saturday, in the long scale of things that draw could prove significant.
Earlier in the season the Drumahoe men would have let their heads drop if they had conceded a goal like Stuart King's equaliser right at the start of the second half, however at the weekend they battled on and could have nicked a win in stoppage time.
King had the first chance of the game, in the 12th minute, but after skipping away from Graeme Philson his left footed drive from just inside the area was tame and Alan Ryan easily gathered.
Ryan McCreadie was inches away from giving his side the lead ten minutes later but his right footed effort, which had Paul Murphy well beaten flashed just wide of the post.
McCreadie made no mistake just before the half-hour mark when Ruairi Boyle's shot from the edge of the box, from Martin Cutmore's centre, was deflected into the striker's path and he made no mistake firing home from close range.
Five minutes before the break a Kevin Kelbie cross found Thomas Wray and his tame shot somehow eluded Ryan, but fortunately for the keeper Boyle cleared the ball off the line.
United scored a fortunate equaliser in the 46th minute when King's long range drive although well hit, took a massive deflection off David Ogilby and looped over Ryan into the net.
Twenty minutes from time a flowing move by the home side involving McCreadie and Ryan Semple ended with David Kee's goal bound shot from close range, superbly blocked by 'Stute old-boy Wray.
Semple's resulting corner found Philson, but his powerful downward header was deflected onto his own bar by King.
Five minutes later United substitute Paul McNeill latched onto Kelbie's flick-on, but with only Ryan to beat his low drive was kept out by the 'Stute keeper.
Soon after Kelbie missed a glorious chance to give his side the lead but his mis-hit shot from six yards, which had Ryan beaten was cleared off the line by Semple.
Deep into stoppage time another super move by the Waterside men ended with Semple's pass finding sub John O'Loughlin, who calmly chested the ball down, but his shot from 12 yards was saved by Murphy's right boot.
Institute: Ryan, Philson, Ogilby, Seydak, Cutmore; McClean, Boyle, Lowry; Semple, Kee, McCreadie. Subs: Moran for McCreadie (80); Moran for Kee (80); Ferry, McGarvey & Campbell (not used).
Ballymena United: Murphy, Wray, Watson, Kelly, McClean; Lowry, Melaugh, Haveron, King; Kelbie, Ward. Subs: McNeill for Ward (42); Picking for Lowry (83); Scates, Watson, Cushley (not used).
Referee: Mr Ken Ginnett (Newtownabbey).
Cautioned: Kelbie (37); Haveron (59); King (67); Picking (85).