Good form comes to an end following defeat in nine-goal thriller

In a match played in a strong wind Dromore started brightly and, with the breeze at their backs, looked the more likely to open the scoring. However, despite dominating the play and creating some good opportunities they were unable to make the crucial breakthrough.

Lurgan defended resolutely and after 12 mins were rewarded when their left winger beat Dromore keeper Jack Daly to a ball at the edge of the box and his driven cross deflected in off Daniel Abraham to give the home side an unexpected lead.

The home side then went 2-0 up when a free kick from wide on the left evaded Daly to leave a simple finish from the edge of the 6 yard box.

Dromore needed inspiration and they found it in the shape of debutant Joel Jess’ wonderful strike from 25 yards which the Lurgan keeper could only palm into the roof of the net. Five minutes later, substitute Jordan Brush was on hand in the box to slot home a loose ball for the equaliser.

The visitors were now back in the ascendancy. Simon Percy and Aaron Ball were combining well down the Dromore left, Daris Benallal and Joel Jess had the upper hand in midfield and Louis Simpson and Matthew Doyle in central defence had the measure of the Lurgan front two.

Dromore took the lead when Brush struck superb curling free kick from wide on the left which beat the defender on back post.

The score became 2-4 when Jack Lennon broke down the right and fired a fierce drive in at the far post.

Dromore reached the break with a score line which certainly didn’t flatter their first half efforts but with some concern that they maybe hadn’t made full use of the elements in their favour and that the second half would be a challenge.

Dromore began the second half positively, pressing to extend their lead in the opening minutes. However, following a Dromore corner a long clearance led to challenge at the edge of the Dromore box which saw the Town striker nick the ball past Daly and finish comfortably.

The home side grew in confidence but Dromore continued to push forward rather than sit back and defend but squandered a couple of good chances to extend their lead.

The equaliser came from a combination of neat play and poor defending down the Lurgan left. Dromore were claiming offside as a neat pass found an unmarked Lurgan forward and he struck a low shot past Day for 4-4.

Despite the set back Dromore kept pressing forward with David Maze and Jordan Bell on prominent in some promising counter attacks. Louis Simpson’s header from a corner was unfortunately straight at the keeper and Lennon’s lob when through on the keeper went narrowly wide.

The game was won when a long kick from the home keeper, assisted by the wind, evaded the Dromore central defenders and allowed the centre forward to slide the ball past Daly from the edge of the box for the winner.

Dromore squad: Jack Daly, Daniel Abraham, Louis Simpson, Matthew Doyle, Simon Percy, Daris Benallal, Joel Jess, David Maze, Jack Lennon, Jordan Bell, Aaron Ball, Jordan Brush

Dromore Coaches’ Man of the Match – Jordan Brush