Institute1–2Ballymena United

Institute's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the Irish News Cup ended at Drumahoe on Tuesday night when a more experienced Ballymena United side proved too strong.

The Drumahoe men were unfortunate to bite the dust in the manner in which they did, the woodwork denying them a deserved equaliser on two occasions late in the game.

Despite arriving with the bare eleven players, due to traffic problems, Ballymena started slowly but eventually improved and were the better of the two during the opening period. Indeed, the Irish League Premier Division outfit got off to the worst possible start by conceding what can only be described as a 'freak' goal after only five minutes.

A scramble in the middle of the park resulted in centreal defender Darren Parker thumping the ball into the air and back towards his goalkeeper Robert Beck. As the veteran keeper moved wide of his net to control the ball, it spun off his foot behind him and into the net. It was a terrible goal to concede and one which, had the television cameras been there, would certainly have been a candidate for 'What Happened Next' in television's "Question of Sport".

Beck made up for his misdemeanour ten minutes later when he was swiftly off his line to deny Gareth Cassidy, after Ryan Coyle had made good ground down the right and played the ball into the midfielder's path. Ballymena began to get a grip on the game with Dessie Loughery, in particular, posing problems for the Institute rearguard. And it was Loughery who provided Ballymena's first chance of note in the 19th minute when his pinpoint cross was headed narrowly wide by Paul Storey.

The Braidmen got back on terms in the 24th minute. After gaining possession 25 yards from goal, Storey evaded the tackles of Kyle Maloney and Adrian Creane before slipping the ball into the unmarked Des Loughery who turned to thump the ball low past Declan Devine and into the net. It was no more than Ballymena deserved at this stage of the game as they began to turn the screw.