SPORT & LEISURE SWIFTS 3-2 ARDS RANGERS

SPORT & LEISURE SWIFTS 3-2 ARDS RANGERS FC

For the second round in succession it took an injury time winner for Leisure to book their place in the hat for the next round of this seasons Tennents Irish Cup.

In the previous tie it was Padraig McKissock who popped up with the winner but as he is in the RVH with a burst appendices' it was left to Darren Gallagher to do the needful in his absence.

Gallagher come on as a second half substitute and despite not yet being fully fit having missed the last six weeks with an ankle injury, he was on hand to convert a James Daly corner and prevent the game going into extra time.

Leisure's reward is a home tie against old Championship 2 rivals Dollingstown FC on December 4th.

Not surprisingly Rangers arrived in fine form. With an unbeaten league record this season they had every right to feel confident, and they got of to a flyer.

Just 3mins gone and a mis-judged header from Ricky Rutherford looked to be going well wide when it deflected off a Leisure defender, hit the inside of the upright and fell at the feet of Gary McDermott who tapped the ball home.

Leisure bounced back immediately and their pressure almost paid off. Marty Cunningham was finding lots of space down the left and another run saw him cut inside and fire goal wards. Keeper Kieran Gardner made a fine save but couldn't hold the shot.

Conor Glenholmes pounced and nicked the ball round the sprawling stopper but unfortunately he was forced wide and his follow up shot hit the side netting.

The reprieve was only temporary as Ryan Burns did level the game after some great build up play by James Daly and Pierce Tully set him up.

A well worked free just before the break almost gave Leisure the lead. Anto McConnell stepped over the ball before Daly slid it down the outside of the wall releasing McConnell but Gardiner did well to cut out the midfielders attempted cross to an unmarked Cunningham.

Ten minutes after the break and Leisure did go in front. A long throw into the box from Stephen Tully wasn't cleared properly and with his back to goal Pierce Tully flicked the ball up before executing the perfect over-head finish.

It was the shortest of short lived leads. Straight from the restart Rangers played the ball out wide, it then went forward down the wing, and was then crossed were Rutherford side footed home. All without a Leisure player getting a touch.

To their credit the home side didn't dwell on it, and they were on the attack right away. Tully was unlucky not to grab his second after making room for himself on the edge of the box but his shot went wide. Then McConnell forced Gardiner into action with a headed effort.

Just when it looked as though there would be extra time Gallagher popped up with the all important strike.

TEAM: Magill, S.Tully, Larkin, Carland, P.Tully, Daly, Cunningham, Burns, Glenholmes, McCrory, McConnell, Burns. SUBS: Gallagher, McMullan, Ryan.