Point of misfortune

Cliftonville 2-2 Ballymena United

Ten-man Cliftonville were forced to make do with a point from tonight’s Sports Direct Premiership encounter with Ballymena United at Solitude.

An alert finish from Sean Robertson and well-taken Brian Healy strike had the hosts 2-0 up at half-time, but the red card Rory Hale picked up in the act of giving away a penalty turned the dial in the Sky Blues’ favour after the break.

Igor Rutkowski slammed home from the spot to reduce the arrears and, after Robertson was forced off with injury, Cliftonville’s misfortune continued when Joe Toole directed a James Hood drive into his own net to draw United level.

Full report to follow…