Bellurgan let lead slip to fall further off pace
BELLURGAN recorded their second successive draw on the road as joint manager Padraig Gollogley turned out and Daniel O’Connor made his return to the club colours which he marked with one of the visitors goals on Sunday.
Both were deployed in defence in a changed line-up which included newcomer Barry Ryan.
They fell behind after only two minutes, but left back John Smith curled in the equaliser into the top corner of the home net from a free kick on the right side of the penalty box after 20 minutes.
They should have taken the lead soon after following great work by Gavin Donnelly who beat the full back on the left and from near the corner flag struck a delightful low cross across goal which was missed by Darren Gaynor but found Cormac Renaghan at the back post. His effort beat the goalkeeper but a defender cleared off the goalline.
However there was no stopping O’Connor’s effort as he met a headed clearance perfectly with his left foot and the ball flew into the Duleek net ten minutes from the interval.
The play was even in the second half until 20 minutes from time when Duleek drew level, and Bellurgan had a let off when their centre-half headed a great chance over the crossbar from a corner kick.
However, five minutes from the end Bellurgan had a glorious chance to collect all three points when Darren Gaynor went clear of the defence with only the goalkeeper to beat. He curled his shot past him only for the ball to strike the post and it was cleared to safety. BELLURGAN: Robert Arthur, Daniel O’Connor, John Smith, James Renaghan, Padraig Gollogley, Owen Armstrong, Sean McEvoy, Gavin Donnelly, Darren Gaynor, Barry Ryan, Cormac Renaghan.