Linfield 1-3 Ballinamallard Utd

Ballinamallard United continued their remarkable start to the first Premiership campaign as they defeated champions Linfield at Windsor Park.

Ryan Campbell put the Mallards ahead on three minutes before Andy Crawford missed another chance for the visitors.

Daryl Fordyce squandered a great chance to level before Brian McCaul did equalise six minutes before half-time.

However, Chris Curran put the Fermanagh side ahead again on 80 and Liam Martin hit the Mallards third in injury-time.

Central-back Leon Carters missed the game because of suspension but his regular defensive partner Mark Stafford went on to produce an outstanding display for the Fermanagh outfit.

The Mallards took the lead on three minutes with Campbell scoring his fifth goal of the season after a long clearance.

Linfield responded by creating a series of chances but Jamie Mulgrew, Michael Gault, Peter Thompson and Fordyce were all off target.

Fordyce was the most guilty as he somehow contrived to volley wide from close range when it seemed easier to score.

However, former Blues striker Crawford should have doubled Ballinamallard's lead when he headed over before McCaul did level six minutes before the break after the visitors had failed to clear a free-kick.

After the break, Mulgrew had a goalbound shot cleared but it was far from being a case of the Blues dominating.

Danny Keohane was a constant threat for Ballinamallard and one of his breaks almost created a chance with William Murphy making a last-ditch clearance.

The Mallards did regain their lead 10 minutes from time as Curran coolly netted after a breakaway.

One would have expected a typical late flourish from the Blues but the home team were strangely subdued.

Some disgruntled Linfield fans who left before the final whistle missed Liam Martin's injury-time goal as the Blues defence was again marked absent.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey was clearly far from impressed with his team's display and the home dressing-room door remained shut one hour after the final whistle.