Town in the dumps

Warrenpoint Town 2-1 Cliftonville

Cliftonville snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when two injury-time goals earned Warrenpoint Town all three points in this afternoon’s Danske Bank Premiership encounter at The Q Radio Arena.

Ahead when Joe Gormley broke the deadlock midway through the second-half, the Reds were pegged back by Anto Reilly’s 93rd minute header and, though Chris Curran almost forced an opening during an immediate response, the hosts broke downfield, where Alan O’Sullivan netted with the final kick of the contest.

The first attempt of the day saw Jay Donnelly draw home keeper Beerat Turker into action ahead of Ryan Curran dragging an attempt just wide of the mark and, after Richard Brush had touched a long-range drive over the bar, Donnelly nodded off target after good work from Levi Ives.

Garry Breen went close to breaking the deadlock with a thumping header that Turker slapped away and Ryan Curran saw another shot miss the target as the first-half ended without any impression being made on the scoresheet.

Half-time substitute Conor McDonald should have put Cliftonville ahead after the break but, having timed his run to perfection and fashioned an opening in a crowded penalty area, he steered his low shot straight into the grateful grasp of Turker.

Gormley flashed a teasing ball across the face of goal only to find no takers in the middle but it wouldn’t be long before he found the net himself, stroking past Turker after showing good strength to shield the ball inside the box.

That looked to be enough to register what would have been three deserved points for the Reds, who were rocked in injury-time when Reilly headed home from a free-kick to draw the hosts level before Town stole victory when O’Sullivan showed fine composure to complete an unlikely smash and grab just seconds ahead of the final whistle.

Cliftonville: Brush, McGovern, Ives, Breen, C Curran, R Curran, Catney, Gormley, J Donnelly, Maguire, A Donnelly. Subs: Neeson, Harney (Maguire, 46 mins), Garrett (J Donnelly, 40 mins), McDonald (A Donnelly, 46 mins), McConnell, Lavery, McMenamin.