Of players ahead of his final game

game. As far as we are concerned, it’s only half-time.

“Yes, it was a good display, but we haven’t achieved anything yet. We’ll need a similar type of performance against Cliftonville to get us into Europe.

“It doesn’t get much more difficult... we know it’s going to be another battle. Cliftonville will be the same, it’s a one-off game. They will be playing their eye strings out to try and get into Europe.”

McFall received a boost before the game with striker Curtis Allen having a red card rescinded by the IFA’s Appeals Committee. He added: “It was the club that appealed it. They lost the first one, so they had every right to lodge another.

“We trained on Monday night with him in the team, but we got the word then he was banned. It was only a couple of hours before the game that we were informed he was ok to play.

“He scores goals... boys like that are like gold dust.”

Linfield manager David Healy locked his dressing room door for quite some time after the final whistle. When he emerged he pulled no punches analysing his team’s performance.

“Not good enough,” he rapped. “You can’t gift one goal in this league never mind four. I’ve had a constructive chat with the boys. There is one thing I won’t do is point the finger at individuals. As a team we were not good enough.

“I told the players that some of them will be leaving the club. There are players under contract that will leave in due course.

“What I don’t want is a club suffering the same results and the same disappointments.

“I was measured in what I said to the players and I intend to speak with them again tomorrow night.

“Over the season, I have found out a lot about this team. I’ve found out a lot about the players — I’ve learned a hell of a lot as a young manager and coach.

“I know I’ll be better for it next year and I hope that applies to the players. I’m absolutely gobsmacked about the result.