Harkin completes perfect comeback

A tremendous second half fight back ensured Institute made it three wins in a row at Ballymoney United, on Saturday.

The Waterside out-fit were trailing 2-0 at the half-time break and boss John Gregg made two inspired substitutes replacing Joe McCready and Jason Blackburn with Conor Lynch and match winner Darren Harkin.

'Stute were second best throughout the first half, but a few harsh words at the interval along with the changes certainly did the trick.

The home side got off to the perfect start when Randal Reid got on the end of an inch-perfect cross from Hugh Boyle and headed into the top corner.

Institute were lucky not to be down to ten men when goalkeeper Alan Ryan brought down Mark Gillan on the edge of the box. He gave a sigh of relief when the referee showed him a yellow card.

Just before the break Ballymoney went two up when Gareth McLaughlin - with the aid of a strong wind - hit a free-kick from the edge of the box which flew into the net to the embarrassment of Ryan.

At the start of the second half 'Stute pulled a goal back when a long clearance down field by Ryan caused problems in the Ballymoney defence and the alert Declan Divin was on hand to volley home.

Soon after United missed a glorious chance to increase their lead when Michael McQuitty some how saw his close range header easily gathered by Ryan.

That missed chance came back to haunt the home side as the Drumahoe men then went straight up the other end and made Ballymoney pay.

Midfielder Conor McShane did well down the left and his cross found that man Divin, who has really found his form this season, fired past United keeper Matty McGraw.

To their credit Joe McCall's side continued to press forward in search of regaining their lead but David Gage's header was headed off the line by the alert Graham Taylor.

The visitors completed their remarkable comeback when substitute Harkin cut inside and fired low past McGraw.