Limavady leave it late against Ards

Limavady United (1) 2

McConaghie (27mins) pen, Cooke (84mins)

Ards (0) 1

McKee (52mins)

It's now four points from a possible six in their opening two games and it's a decent start for United.

The home side were also without the services of three key players. Shane Jennings, Trevor Hutchinson and Michael Doherty were all missing through injury.

The visitors certainly gave the Roesiders a tough game although there was a doubt about their equaliser.

It was a game of few chances as both sides struggled to create any real clear cut opportunities in the game.

Debutant Niall Cooke proved to be the difference between the two sides. He scored late in the game after Aaron McKee had cancelled out Gareth McConaghie's first half penalty.

Ards, under the leadership of Justin McBride, had the first chance in the 7th minute but veteran Darren Lockhart's chip was well over from a tight angle.

Four minutes later United had their first chance. Paul Owens corner was flicked on at the near post but Damian McNulty couldn't take advantage and the ball drifted wide.

The Roesiders perhaps should have taken the lead in the 26th minute. Cooke burst through on goal but keeper John Munn blocked well wide his legs.

It only took another sixty seconds however for United to take the lead. Gary Spence inexplicably handled the ball giving McConaghie the chance from the penalty spot and the Ballymoney man drilled home from twelve yards.

The visitors almost levelled twice before the interval. Firstly McKee's effort was well blocked on the line by McConaghie. From the resulting corner Mark Picking struck the outside of the Limavady post.

A minute after the break Darren Fitzgerald should have levelled but his header was well off target from McKee's cross.

In the 52nd minute they did get an equaliser however. Fitzgerald was the provider for McKee whose header struck the bar before debatably crossing the line. However the assistant referee had no hesitation in awarding the goal.

The winner came in the 84th minute. After a quick throw in Michael Walsh fed Ciaran Clarke down the right flank and the teenagers pinpoint cross was turned home from close range by Cooke.

Ards last chance of the game came in the 87th minute when McKee, who was their best attacking threat, flicked an effort wide of Robert Robinson's goal.

The home side did have a late chance to extend their lead but although Owens easily turned his marker his shot flew over the bar.

Limavady United: Robinson, Walsh, McKeever, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, McKenna, Clarke, Cooke.

Subs: Wilson for McKenna (80mins), McCaughan, Neill & Anderson (Unused).

Ards: Munn, Collins, Wilson, Spence, Pike, Wright, McKee, McIlhagga, Picking, Lockhart, Fitzgerald.

Subs: Doyle for Picking (72mins), Devine, Young, Towell, Boylan (Unused).

Referee: Paddy McFadden (Londonderry).

Cautioned: Spence & Picking (27mins), McIlhagga (31mins).