We lacked courage, says Magilton

Jim Magilton felt Cliftonville lacked courage in yesterday’s Boyle Sports Premiership defeat to Limavady United.

Jamie McGonigle scored the only goal of the game when he seized upon a loose ball in the aftermath of Alfie Gaston closing PJ Morrison’s clearance down but, despite dominating the second-half at The Showgrounds, the Reds were unable to turn their possession into anything meaningful.

“We didn’t show up,” said Magilton, who saw Keevan Hawthorne and Rory Hale threaten either side of a brace of Dean McMaster attempts, while Kyle McClelland nodded against the crossbar as the clock ticked down.

“Away from home, we didn’t show all the attributes that you need. You need to be hard to beat, and we were so easy to play against.

“We tried to play a different system and it didn’t materialise because of a lack of courage with the ball.

“The goalkeeper makes a mistake which can happen, but our reaction after that was so poor.

“When you put on that shirt, you have got to be willing to die and we weren;t.”