Sorry 'Stute lose again

ON this display Institute's youngsters will have to start learning fast, if they harbour any hopes of securing a victory, let alone challenging for the Ladbrokes.com Championship.

Once again they were second best for long periods at champions Loughgall and in truth they could have lost by a far bigger margin.

To make matters for worse for John Gregg, midfielder Conor Lynch, became the third player in two games to be given his marching orders.

The home side who had a number of chances in the opening few minutes eventually took the lead on ten minutes.

Shea McGerrigan's run and cross down their left found an unmarked Dean Smith and he gleefully hammered home at the near post past a flat-footed Alan Ryan.

The visitor's first chance of the match came on 20 minutes when Graeme Taylor's free-kick found Declan Divin, but his downward header was easily gathered by Marc Robinson.

Niall Currie's side missed a golden opportunity to double their lead on the half-hour mark when Shea Campbell, broke clear of David King, but his low drive was kept out by an out-rushing Ryan.

Just before the break another Taylor free caught out Loughgall, this time his deep delivery from the right found Lynch, who ghosted in unmarked at the back post but he side footed wide.

The Villagers continued to bombard 'Stute's goal in the closing minutes of the half and in truth they probably would have been out of sight if they had taken their chances.

The Waterside men fell a further goal behind on 49 minutes when another run and cross from McGerrigan was only half cleared by substitute Mark Nicell and the alert Campbell was on hand to side foot home from 10 yards.

The match was effectively over three minutes later when Loughgall added a third goal thanks to more good work from the dangerous McGerrigan.

The left-winger easily skipped away from David McClements before cutting the ball back for Campbell and he calmly made no mistake firing past Ryan.

To their credit the Drumahoe side pulled one back on 53 minutes when Joe McCready made no mistake from the penalty spot, after Darren Harkin's centre was blocked by Darragh Peden's hand inside the area.

Unfortunately for John Gregg's team they couldn't get back into the match and fell a further goal behind on 72 minutes when Kris Kingsberry's clever chip found substitute David McCullough, who headed home from close range.

'Stute's miserable day was compounded six minutes later when Lynch, who was booked earlier in the match was rightfully cautioned for a second time before receiving a red card from referee Mark Courtney, after he stupidly tried to tackle Davy Hawthorne from behind.

In the closing minutes Loughgall sub Glen Clarke was inches away from grabbing a fifth goal but his well hit drive, which had Ryan beaten, was deflected off King and rattled the bar.

Loughgall: Robinson, Cullen, Alderdice, Moffatt, A Smith, Peden, Hawthorne, Kingsberry, D Smith, Campbell, McGerrigan. Subs: McCullough for A Smith (61); McDowell for Campbell (70); Clarke for D Smith (75); Waddell & McCain (not used).

Institute: Ryan, Crown, Wray, King, Taylor; McClements, Lynch, McShane, Faulkner; Divin, McCready. Subs: Harkin for Crown (16); Nicell for Taylor (H-T); Smith for Wray (55); Smyth & Wilson (not used).

Referee: Mr Mark Courtney (Dungannon).

Cautioned: Smith (37); Lynch (39); King (45); McDowell (90).

Sent-off: Lynch (78).