On the brink

Andy Hamilton’s late winner at Planters Park on Tuesday night gives Dollingstown the edge going into the second leg on Friday night at The Cliff, Larne, 7.00pm

A bumper crowd cheered the locals on to a superb win, but manager Gary Duke feels his team should already be promoted.

“Before the match I would have taken a 3-2 win but after such a great first half we could have had five or six goals,” said Duke.

“There is still a lot of football to be played. They are and were the strong favourites but our target was to keep the tie alive and we have done that.”

There was praise for two goal striker Richard Thompson. “I thought he was superb. They could not handle him and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.”

The boss also thanked the fans who turned out in force. “The support was excellent and overall the match was a great spectacle for Mid-Ulster football and hopefully we get something out of the second leg and do the club proud by reaching the Championship.”