All in won basket

Jim Magilton was delighted to come on top of last night’s “basketball match” with Bangor with three points.

Despite coughing up a number of promising opportunities to their visitors, it was Cliftonville who led at half-time courtesy of a well-taken Joe Gormley strike.

Conor Pepper’s 59th minute own goal was immediately responded to by Micheál Glynn restoring the Reds’ advantage ahead of Brian Healy making it 3-1.

Joseph Toole and Healy both struck posts, while goalkeeper Lewis Ridd saved an 85th minute Harry Lynch penalty before the Seasiders saw Ben Cushnie squander a gilt-edged chance in injury-time.

“Obviously there were elements of our play that were excellent but there were also elements of our play that wasn’t so good,” said Magilton, who acknowledged that Ridd’s spot-kick heroics were “huge” in an end-to-end contest.

“It was a bit like a basketball match at times because it went back and forth and it was a case of who’s going to score the most.

“We gave up a few chances which wasn’t great, but I thought we carried a threat and I’m obviously delighted with three points.

“We were lax at times and loose with the ball, which offered opportunities, but once we settled into the game, we were okay but didn’t really have a cutting edge and then Joe does what Joe does. It’s a fantastic touch and great finish and that settles us down.

“In the second-half, we’re still waiting to kick on and we didn’t really. It’s a great goal from Micheál right away after them scoring, which is always a very important aspect in the game because it gives them confidence but when you hit straight back, the momentum switches back to us.

“Then Brian scores a great goal, which is really pleasing, but on another day, you could lose that game.

“I’m delighted that we won the game because it’s an important win for us but there are elements of that game that we need to get rid of very, very quickly because, on another night, Bangor score more goals than they actually did.”