Ferguson 'Spikes' again

MORE defensive mistakes combined with a lack of goal threat added up to another defeat for Institute, this time in their crunch basement battle with fellow strugglers Lisburn Distillery.

The Drumahoe men had a lot of possession but rarely troubled Philip Matthews in the Whites goal and as in recent weeks their achilles heel was exposed as they conceded two poor goals.

The returning Glenn Ferguson took only 12 minutes to continue his impressive form against 'Stute.

Andy Kilmartin's left wing cross, caught out a static Shaun Holmes and found the veteran striker at the back post and he made no mistake powerfully heading home his 13th goal of the season.

The Whites were lucky not to be reduced to ten men a minute later when Gary Thompson was only shown a yellow card after a high tackle on Graham Crown.

Distillery continued to press forward in search of a second goal and they went close again on 20 minutes when Aaron Callaghan's right wing centre found an unmarked Neal Gawley, but his header was straight at Gavin Cullen.

Institute's first effort at goal came on the half hour mark when Sean Friars' right wing corner found David Ogilby, but his glancing header was cleared off the line by Kilmartin and within a minute that clearance proved to be a vital one as Distillery doubled their advantage with Ferguson again in the thick of the action.

The ex-Linfield front man picked the ball up on the half-way line, after Declan Divin lost possession to Peter McCann, before sending Gawley clear of a flat-footed 'Stute back-line and the striker calmly nut-megged Cullen from just inside the area.

Ryan Semple's cross five minutes before the break found Ogilby, but the big centre-back's header from eight yards was straight at Philip Matthews.

Tommy Wright's side were inches away from netting a third in the 54th minute when Gary Browne's left wing cross found Peter McCann but his low drive flashed past Cullen's post.

Institute pulled one back four minutes later when Ryan Semple's corner found an unmarked Paddy McLaughlin and his downward header bounced high past the despairing dive of Matthews.

The visitors had a half chance to level things on 74 minutes when substitute Paul Lowry released Joe McCready, but with Divin in a better position just inside him, the striker naively blasted wide from a near impossible angle.

Four minutes from time substitute Lowry wasted another half chance for the visitors when after creating himself some space inside the Whites area, he blasted well over Matthews bar.

Then right at the death Gavin Melaugh raced clear of the 'Stute back-line, but with only Cullen to beat the substitute blazed high over the bar.

Lisburn Distillery: Matthews, Callaghan, Curran, Muir, McShane; McCann, G Thompson, Kilmartin, Browne; Gawley, Ferguson. Subs: Melaugh & Corey for G Thompson & Gawley (68); S Thompson, Cooling & Patton (not used).

Institute: Cullen, Crown, McLaughlin, Ogilby, Holmes; Semple, Boyle, Shields, Friars; Divin, McCready. Subs: Seydak for Shields (61); Lowry for Semple (65); Blackburn, McFadden & Ryan (not used).

Referee: Mr Mark Courtney (Dungannon).

Cautioned: G Thompson (12): Shields (23); Ogilby (29); Semple (60); Boyle (90) McCann (94).