Irish Premiership: Ballinamallard Utd 3-1 Warrenpoint Town

Ballinamallard United went three points clear of Institute in ninth place by beating basement club Warrenpoint Town.

Liam Martin opened the scoring with a low shot on 32 minutes and John Currie hammered home the second on the hour.

Daniel Hughes was on hand to slot home in the 71st minute after Stefan McCusker spilled a shot from distance.

Six minutes later Martin raced more than half the length of the pitch and Currie played through Ryan Campbell, who smashed home to secure the victory.

The match got off to a slow start, although Campbell did volley spectacularly into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Stephen Hughes had a chance for Warrenpoint when he latched onto a wayward ball in the box, but his lob flew just over the bar.

The Mallards went in front after good interplay between Mark Stafford and Martin down the right side, culminating in Martin firing past wrong-footed keeper Martin Harron.

The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure, with Stephen Hughes unleashing a fierce shot from 15 yards which McCusker did well to save and gather safely.

Dermot McVeigh headed just over and Stephen Hughes then clipped a right-foot shot from inside the box wide of the post.

Martin had a low drive scream past the left upright and a minute later another attempt cannoned off the upright, but this time the ball bounced out to Currie, who found the net.

Hughes's goal proved to be a mere consolation as Campbell made the three points safe and Warrenpoint are now six points adrift at the bottom of the table.