MALLARDS HELD AT FERNEY PARK
Ballinamallard United missed out on the chance to close the gap at the top to three points following this draw with Ards at Ferney Park.
Harry McConkey's side went into the game six points adrift of leaders Portadown but with the Ports uncharacteristically losing to Dergview this presented a great opportunity to move to within touching distance again.
The Mallards got off to a great start when, following a move with Ben McCann and Ryan Campbell, Sean McEvoy beat Ards keeper Brian Neeson after 13 minutes.
Ards pressed for the equaliser as the game progressed with Craig McMillen getting in behind the defence only to fail to find the target while, a little later, the Mallards were saved by a Matthew Smyth blocked.
However, Smyth wasn't so fortunate with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when he was last to make contact with the ball as Ards eventually found their equaliser.
Salou Jallow then produced a good stop from keeper John Connolly before, with four minutes to go, Jason McCartney looked to have tipped the balance back in favour of the home side when he beat Neeson from the spot.
But, barely sixty seconds later, Michael McLellan popped up to salvage a point for Ards to bring his tally for the season to 13 across all competitions.
Ballinamallard United: Connolly, McEvoy, McCann, Smyth, Clarke, Campbell, McCartney, Kelly, Cashel, Mayse, Morris subs Arkinson (replaced Mayse 78), McManus (not used), McIlwaine (replaced Cashel 86), Edgar (replaced McEvoy 68), Moorehead (not used)
Ards: Neeson, McMillan, Armstrong, McGovern, Taylor, Murray, McMillen, Nelson, E. McAllister, Cushnie, Jallow subs Dalzell (not used), McLellan (replaced Cushnie 66), Wilson (not used), McConnell (replaced McMillen 89), Calderwood (replaced E. McAllister 90+1)
Substitution 
Substitution 
