 Barry Johnston moves in to challenge Glenn Ferguson |
Cliftonville and champions Linfield shared four goals in the second half of Monday's Carnegie Premier League match. Glenn Ferguson shot Linfield into a 57th-minute lead after a Paul McAreavey free-kick but David McAlinden equalised from close-range two minutes later.
Linfield regained the lead in the 72nd minute when Thomas Stewart turned the ball in from Ferguson's by-line ball.
Cliftonville hit back again as sub Stephen O'Neill scored with a far post header in the 82nd minute.
In an exciting finish Mark Holland had a shot cleared off the line by McAreavey.
In the first half Cliftonville had most of the chances with Chris Scannell heading wide and Francis Murphy having his attempted lob saved by Alan Mannus.
Ferguson had a low shot deflected wide just before the interval.
Linfield manager David Jeffrey
To be fair to Cliftonville, they were the better team in the first half but I was much happer with the second half performance. However, I was absolutely gutted with the two goals we conceded. Those balls should have been dealt with much better.
We had chances. John Connolly made a couple of good saves and on some occasions our finishing could have been better.
Cliftonville assistant manager Tommy Breslin
Maybe we should have been one or two up in the first half but overall a draw was probably fair. The boys never cease to amaze me. They have shown great character against the best team in the league.
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