It was a draw which felt like a defeat.
Glentoran, leading from a 14th minute goal from John Herron and with the home side reduced to 10 men after 52 minutes, were unable to see the game out. But for the heroics of Elliott Morris in the final minute of stoppage time it could have been an even worse journey home for the travelling supporters.
Warrenpoint Town started brightly and after Philip Donnelly's shot flew wide of goal the home side almost grabbed a fortunate lead with just 8 minutes played; a cross from the left coming back off the crossbar before being cleared to safety. Glentoran's first opportunity of the game came on 11 minutes when Willie Garret got on the end of a John McGuigan corner. Unfortunately Garrett, who scored the winner last weekend, saw his header go inches wide of the far post. A minute later and Elliott Morris was on hand to make a superb save to prevent Fra McCaffery's close range header giving 'Point the lead.
The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes. Ross Redman's corner from the right was met by John Herron and his header flew past Aaron McCarey to put the Glens in front. It was the Scotsman's first goal since signing for Glentoran in August. On 20 minutes Curtis Allen thought he'd grabbed his 100th Glentoran goal. Redman's cross from the left picked out Allen who was unlucky to see his goal bound shot cleared off the line. Midway through the half Marcus Kane put John McGuigan away on the left but as McGuigan powered into the box the keeper came out to deny him. McGuigan then sent a dangerous ball into the area. It was cleared to Connor Pepper but his shot flew wide of the post. Eamon Scannell then wasted a free kick opportunity for Warrenpoint Town, firing his 20-yard effort over the bar.
Just after the half hour mark another Glentoran free kick caused problems for the home side. Keeper McCarey came for the cross but completely missed the ball. Marcus Kane fired it back into the danger zone where Curtis Allen saw his attempt hooked off the line. In first half stoppage time Peter McMahon had a chance to double Glentoran's advantage. He caught the ball perfectly but drilled it straight at the 'Point goalkeeper. Halftime: Warrenpoint Town 0-1 Glentoran.
7 minutes into the second half and Warrenpoint Town's Daniel Wallace was shown a second yellow card and the home side were reduced to 10 men. A goal in front, it seemed the perfect opportunity for Glentoran to go on, increase their advantage and secure the win. It didn't pan out that way though. Instead the home side stepped up their game and Glentoran ahd an early warning of what was possible when Stephen Moan's low cross almost resulted in an equaliser and shortly afterwards Francis McCaffrey saw his free kick deflected over for a corner. Warrenpoint Town shoult really have been reduced to 9 men on 74 minutes when Marcus Kane was felled by a brutal tackle form Deane Watters. Referee Gregg only produced a yellow though and Watters stayed on the field. Kane on the other hand was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Gallagher.
4 minutes later the equaliser arrived. McCaffrey found Alan O'Sullivan on the right and his low cross was met by Ciaran O'Connor. Elliott Morris did well to stop O'Connor's initial effort but the 'Point number 20 bundled the ball over the line at the second attempt. Glentoran huffed and puffed as the visiting support urged them to find a winner. There were a number of free kicks but disappointingly Aaron McCarey in the home goal was only forced to make one stop drom a Dylan Davidson effort. Despite 5 added minutes Glentoran couldn't fashion a winner and right at the death could have lost the game but for another outstanding save from Elliott Morris, the Glentoran keeper standing strong to deny Alan O'Sullivan.
Photographs by PACEMAKER
Glentoran: Morris, Gordon, Redman, Birney, Garrett, McMahon, Herron, Pepper, Kane (c), McGuigan & Allen.
Subs: Davidson for McGuigan (74) & Gallagher for Kane (75).
Unused subs: Nelson (gk), Kerr, Ferrin, McCarthy & O'Neill.
