Relegation heartache for 'Stute

Institute ...(0) 0Donegal Celtic...(1) 1 McAlorum (86)

FOR the second time in four years Institute suffered a relegation/promotion play-off defeat to Donegal Celtic, on Friday night.

Terrible defending allowed Stephen McAlorum to score four minutes from time and condemned the Waterside men to Championship football next season.

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Knowing only a victory would save them from the drop, John Gregg's side were disappointing throughout and in truth the Belfast men seemed like they wanted it more, in a tense and poor affair, at a packed Drumahoe.

A nervous Thomas Wray lost possession to McAlorum in the 11th minute, but fortunately for the right-back the DC captain's 20 yard effort was easily gathered by Gavin Cullen.

Six minutes later a Ryan Semple right wing free-kick found an unmarked David Ogilby, but his close range header at the back post failed to trouble DC keeper Declan Brown.

Just after the half-hour McAlorum went close to giving his side the lead but his well hit volley, from the edge of the box, fizzed just past Cullen's right hand post.

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The deadlock should have been broken right at the start of the second half when Sean Friars' right wing centre found an unmarked Shaun Holmes, but with the goal at his mercy the ex-Derry City man somehow headed over from six yards.

A super driving run and shot from Liam Watson on 52 minutes saw Cullen make a smart save, diving full stretch to keep the effort out.

Just after the hour mark a long punt down field from Ian Curran caught out the 'Stute back-line, but Paul McVeigh's well hit shot whistled just wide.

With the game looking like it was heading to extra-time the West Belfast out-fit made that all important breakthrough, following some shambolic defending by the home side.

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Curran's free-kick high into the 'Stute box was headed clear by Ogilby, but Semple incredibly sliced the ball back into the danger area and Wray's equally poor attempted clearance fell to McAlorum, who fired home from 12 yards and ended the Waterside men's three season stint in the Premiership.

Institute: Cullen, Wray, Ogilby, Seydak, Holmes; Semple, Boyle, McFadden, Friars; McCready, Divin. Subs: Lowry for Holmes (60); McClements for McCready (68); Crown, Blackburn & Ryan (not used).

Donegal Celtic: Brown, Duff, Spence, Curran, Lambe; McAlorum, Hanna, Bradley, Watson; O'Neill, McVeigh. Subs: Adamzyk for O'Neill (55); McMenamin for McVeigh (90); Gargin, McAllister & Cleary (not used).

Referee: Mr Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge).

Cautioned: Wray (4); Holmes (57).