Institute battle back for deserved point

A frantic finale ensured Institute battled hard for a deserved point at fellow strugglers Warrenpoint Town.

Gavin Smith's own goal ensured the Drumahoe men, who had great chances to win the game in the second half, picked up a share of the spoils after a super second half display.

Youngster Evan Tweed pulled the strings in the second half, as Sean Connor's men upped their game after the break, after trailing to Alan O'Sullivan's goal opening.

The never say die attitude by the Waterside men, ensured they continue their battle to avoid the drop and still sit two points behind Town.

The home side made three changes to their side which narrowly lost to Linfield with Dermot McVeigh, Brandon Doyle and O'Sullivan all starting.

As for Sean Connor's side he brought in pair Colm McLaughlin and Oran Brogan for Alex Pomeroy and Aidan McCauley, who dropped to the bench.

'Stute keeper Rory Brown had to make a big save on 45 seconds, diving low to his right to keep out O'Sullivan's 20 yard driver.

Town took the lead on 19 minutes as Brandon Doyle raced clear down the left before seeing his low cross finding O'Sullivan and his close range strike took a deflection off Dean Curry, on it's way past Brown.

The woodwork came to 'Stute's rescue ten minutes later as Ryan Swan's cleverly set-up Kealan Dillon, but his well hit drive from 12 yards, which had Brown beaten, rattled the crossbar.

A James Henry corner on 35 minutes found Curry, but the big centre-back's close range header was saved on the line by Town keeper Gareth Buchanan.

The visitors drew level 43 minutes after Evan Tweed's superb right wing centre was miss judged by Daniel Wallace and the alert Ahu Obhakhan, made no mistake firing home from close range.

Buchanan made a fantastic stop on 56 minutes as Colm McLaughlin's left wing delivery found Tweed and the midfielder's powerful header from close range was superbly kept out by the ex-Loughgall net-minder

Just after the hour mark the Tweed versus Buchanan battle continued, with the former Derry City youngster seeing his powerful left footed strike, from the edge of the box, tipped away by the Town keeper.

Tweed continued to be in the thick of things moments later as he cleared off the line, after Daniel Wallace's header, which had Brown beaten, was booted off the line.

Rory Brown made a stunning save on 75 minutes as he Kealan Dillon's sublime long range strike, was pushed away by the Stute keeper.

Soon after a super long ball by Brown released Alex Pomeroy, who rounded the out-rushing Buchanan, but the substitute's effort into the unguarded net hit the side netting.

Town scored on 84 minutes after a fantastic counter attack, which saw captain Wallace break out of defence before feeding Ryan Swan down the right and his cross was outstandingly guided home by the big Town skipper.

To their credit the visitors levelled for a second time six minutes later as Conor Tourish's effort was diverted into his own net by substitute Smith.

Warrenpoint Town: Buchanan, Bennett (Scannell HT), McVeigh, O'Sullivan, Doyle (Carroll 65), Hutchinson (Smith 14), Wallace, Dillon, Mullen, Deasy, Swan.

Institute: R Brown, Doherty, Tourish, D Curry; Brogan (De Carne 88), McLaughlin, Tweed, Henry, Walsh (G Brown 51) Burke; Obhakhan (Pomeroy 71),

Referee: Andrew Davey.