Dergview and Ducks share the spoils at Darragh Park

DERGVIEW secured another precious point in their bid to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off spot following this hard fought, and, at times, hard to watch scoreless draw against Ballinamallard at Darragh Park last evening.

Both sides created chances on the night – more so the visitors – to claim all three points but in the end it finished honours even.

The result keeps Ballinamallard in contention for a top-six finish while a point for Dergview takes them to within striking distance of third-from -bottom Ards.

At one point a few weeks ago Emmet Friars’ team were in danger of falling 10 points behind the County Down side but following this stalemate the gap has been slashed to just three with Dergview having two games in hand.

The north Tyrone men are firmly back in the game in terms of finishing outside the bottom two, but at some point they are going to have win games, especially at home, if they are to overhaul their nearest rivals.

Tuesday night’s derby isn’t one that will live long in the memory and the fact it ended all square was largely down to the fact that home goalkeeper Shane O’Gara pulled off a couple of outstanding saves.

His first notable stop came on 27 minutes when reacting brilliantly to keep out a Josh McIlwaine shot after the striker had connected first time with a Callum Moorehead cross from the right.

In the second half Moorehead clipped the home crossbar before O’Gara denied Darragh Byrne with another stunning stop.

At the other end striker Padraig Lynch raced clear but his looping header bounced on the crossbar and over.

Right at the death the same player steered a Gareth Harkin cross inches wide of Jamie Ray’s near post from close range.

FULL REPORT AND REACTION IN TOMORROW’S ULSTER HERALD