Football: ELL OF A SHOW BY KEEPER

ANDY SMITH netted his 24th goal of the season in the 13th minute, and that single strike proved decisive as league leaders Glentoran battled hard to overcome Lisburn Distillery.

But for once the Glens were more grateful to their keeper Elliott Morris than their strikers. Twice in the second half he had to make great saves to prevent the home side from equalising.

The Glens deserved to go in ahead at the interval and for that they can thank Darren Armour.

It was his through ball that released Michael O'Neill, who set up Smith with a simple tap in. The visitors had a second goal ruled out after 28 minutes. Gary Smyth was the unlucky player after Matthews had made a point- blank save from Armour's header.

The keeper then seemed to fumble the ball on the ground as Smyth struck, but the referee felt Matthews had been in control of the ball before the Glentoran man made contact.

Lisburn had some chances of their own in the opening period, but they really came strong after the interval.

One in particular stood out, when, in the 56th minute, Mark Holland sprinted away from Chris Walker, but Morris came out to block the shot.

Afterwards, Glentoran boss Roy Coyle, said: "Overall we are happy that we got what we came for.

"We were positive and as well as the three points we kept another clean sheet which was a bonus."

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