Football: DEFEAT FOR REDS SUCH A BITTER PHIL

CONTINUED good home form saw Lisburn through this tough encounter against Cliftonville.

The home side were two goals ahead after only 14 minutes, yet in the end had to rely on some good goalkeeping from Phil Matthews to hold out against Marty Tabb's side.

Central defender Paul Muir capitalised for the hosts' first goal when Reds keeper Paul Stranney failed to gather the ball and Muir headed into an empty net.

Defensive frailties contributed to the second three minutes later, with Tim Mouncey scoring after the Reds defence had failed to clear.

Afterwards, Whites' boss Paul Kirk said: "Up until they scored there was only going to be one winner.

"The goal gave them a spark of life and they were the better team. They had an urgency about them and played the better football."

He was right, too. After Liam Fleming struck the ball home from a corner the Reds were a different side as substitutes Barry Patton and Chris McVarnock were denied by Matthews.

On 80 minutes, Matthews managed to back-pedal and get a hand to Patton's shot and minutes later he was there to turn away McVarnock's effort from the edge of the area.

With minutes remaining Ciaran McMullan ran clear, only to be tackled by Michael Ferguson.

Play then switched to the other end and Distillery substitute John Martin forced Stranney to save his header right on the line.

Reds boss Tabb said: "It was a disgraceful performance in the first half. Not one player came out of it with any credit.

"We certainly won the second half but that's no good. Overall, it doesn't count."

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