DROMORE Amateurs looked destined for a share of the points on Saturday with the game locked at 1-1 and just eight minutes remaining on the clock.
But just when a team desperately needs a lucky break, that's when all luck deserts them – and so it was
for Dromore when their opponents snatched all three points with a wonderful free kick from 20 yards that flew into the top right corner.
It was gut wrenching stuff for the home side who had matched their visitors in every department.
Dromore took a shock lead within the opening five minutes of the game; centre forward Alan Beck sweeping home a fine strike from distance.
That goal clearly stunned high-flying Ardglass but they were back on level terms 10 minutes later from a well executed free kick that curled around the Dromore wall and into the net.
In a close contest that certainly did not resemble a 'top versus bottom' clash both sides worked tirelessly to find a breakthrough but the defences remained on top with the Amateurs back three of Colin Harper, Russell Ward and Roderick McMurray having another solid game.
Ardglass thought they had taken the lead midway through the second half when their striker unleashed a snap shot that looked destined for the top corner but somehow Dromore keeper Neil Beggs got across to make a fingertip save, touching the ball onto the crossbar.
The Amateurs did have the ball in the net when a good passage of play ended with Jonathan Beattie firing home from close range but the referee blew for offside, much to the derision of the Dromore support on the sidelines.
Just when a draw looked the most likely result, Ardglass were awarded a disputed free kick on the edge of the Dromore penalty area. It was a tremendous strike by the Ardglass midfielder, placed right into the top corner so that no keeper could have saved it.
But amid the Ardglass jubilation – this result took them top of the table – there was real heartache for the home side whose overall performance merited at least a point.
Dromore will have to pick themselves up again for another tough assignment this weekend when they travel to play Ford.
