IRISH LEAGUE: Institute slip to home defeat

Institute's Michael McCrudden had their only chance in the second half during their loss to Warrenpoint Town.

Institute suffered their first home league defeat of the season, as leaders Warrenpoint Town, deservedly secured the points.

Barry Gray’s side with striker Stephen Murray in particular, were a hand full and just showed that little bit more experience, to move five clear of the Drumahoe men.

Nevertheless a defensive error in the end was the difference, as Town maintained their lead at the top of the Championship table.

The other disappointing aspect to the game for the home side, was the fact that they never tested keeper Stephen Maguire, throughout the 90 minutes.

A defensive mistake cost Kevin Deery’s men on five minutes as Mark Scoltock’s miss control let in Murray and the big striker did well to get away from Darryl McDermott, before rounding keeper Martin Gallagher and slotting the ball into the empty net.

On 15 minutes the home side missed a super chance to level things as Stephen O’Donnell’s right wing centre found Gareth Brown, but his header from 10 yards flew well over Maguire’s crossbar.

Town should have doubled their lead on 18 minutes as Josh Lynch’s left wing corner found an unmarked Aaron Traynor, but his close range header, which had Gallagher beaten, was superbly cleared off the line by Ryan Morrow.

Institute had another good opportunity to level things just after the half-hour mark but Michael McCrudden fired over, after Brown’s clever cross had picked him out.

Moments later goalscorer Murray got in behind the Stute back line, but his strike’s effort from the left hand edge of the box, was saved by Gallagher.

On 38 minutes Gallagher was called into action again when this time he had to stand up well and keep out Murray’s right footed shot, after the striker again got in down the left hand side.

Institute had a good clear cut opportunity on 59 minutes as Michael McCrudden broke clear of the defence, but his control let him down and Traynor got back to fairly shoulder the winger off the ball, just as he was about to pull the trigger inside the box.

In what was a disappointing affair after the break, Stute were reduced to throwing skipper Stephen O’Donnell up front, as they tried in vain looking for the equaliser.

Institute: Gallagher, O’Donnell, McDermott, Scoltock (McFadden 56), Morrow; A Harkin, C Harkin, Doherty; McIntyre (Curry 65), Brown (Pomeroy 65), McCrudden.

Warrenpoint Town: Maguire, McGovern, Dane, Moan, Traynor, Bagnall, Boyle (Murphy 11), McMenamin, McGuigan, Lynch, Murray.

Referee: N Robinson