Garrett’s late goal sinks Stute

Institute's Mark Forker shields the ball from Cliftonville's Barry Johnston, during today's match at the Riverside Stadium. Picture by Darren Kidd/Press Eye

The Waterside men conceded a 91st minute goal to Stephen Garrett, which ensured Tommy Breslin’s out-fit won the thriller 3-2.

Although after the game players and coaching staff of the Reds praised Stute for their display, that will mean nothing to Paul Kee’s side.

Stephen O’Flynn had a super chance to give his side the lead after a minute but he dragged his shot just wide, after Dwayne McManus’ training ground move corner had picked out the striker.

Incredibly a minute later the Belfast men took the lead after youngster Stephen Curry was caught when Martin Donnelly got in behind him before his inch perfect delivery was despatched home by David McDaid.

The Drumahoe men came storming back and drew level on nine minutes when following a slick move Declan McKeever’s 20 yard strike, which took a big deflection off Marc Smyth, before flying over Reds goalkeeper Conor Devlin.

Cliftonville took the lead again on 16 minutes this time Chris Curran raced in behind Curry to latch onto Donnelly’s astute pass, before slotting the ball past an out-rushing Stute keeper Michael Doherty.

Minutes later Darren McCauley burst through the Cliftonville defence to pick up O’Flynn’s clever flick, but with only Devlin to beat the midfielder dragged his shot wide.

To their credit Stute continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and they did level things on 28 minutes this time Curry was the man to score, blasting home high into the net from the right hand side of the box, after O’Flynn had created the chance.

In a more cagey second half it was Stute who had a half chance on 48 minutes but McKeever’s right wing in-swinging free-kick, nearly embarrassed Devlin, but the ball ended up on top of the net.

Doherty came to his side’s rescue around the hour mark when he did well to keep out Curran’s goal bound effort, after the ex-Ballinamallard man got free inside the box.

Unfortunately just as the game started to enter stoppage time Cliftonville netted their winner when McDaid’s quickly taken free-kick released Garrett and the super sub made no mistake stroking the ball past the desperate dive of Doherty.

Institute: Doherty, Crown, Walsh, McLaughlin; S Curry, Forker (Ballard 77), McManus, Doherty, McKeever; McCauley (Young 90), O’Flynn (Thompson 67).

Cliftonville: Devlin, McMullan, Flynn, Smyth, Seydak; Curran, Catney (Knowles 77), Johnston, Donnelly (Garrett 77); McDaid, Gormley (Murray 84).

Referee: Mr Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge).