Stephen Duffy rescues dramatic point for Cockhill at Bonagee

With the penultimate kick of the afternoon, Stephen Duffy rescued a precious point for Cockhill Celtic at USL title rivals Bonagee United.

Bonagee United 1 Cockhill Celtic 1

The hosts’ looks at their timepieces we’re getting lengthier and ever more anxious when, in the 96th minute, Duffy pounced.

Bonagee were leading through Daragh Ellison’s 11th minute goal.

Until that last, decisive, move, Bonagee had defended stoutly.

Then, Lee McColgan fired the kitchen sink into the Bonagee area.

Stephen Black won the header but the ball rebounded for Duffy. The attacker, only in as an 82nd minute replacement, superbly fired past Oisin Cannon in the Bonagee goal.

The margins have generally become wafer thin between these two of late and so it proved on a bitter afternoon at the Dry Arch.

It was a scrappy afternoon, illustrated by the 11 yellow cards flashed by referee Barry Maxwell.

Chances were few, though Bonagee bagged the lead goal when Ellison scampered onto a pass from Dan O’Donnell - this week appointed as Bonagee youth team manager.

Ellison got there ahead of Harry Doherty to steer home.

It might have been two when Conor Black - the hat-trick hero in Monday’s 3-0 win over Letterkenny Rovers in the Ulster Senior Cup - lobbed narrowly wide.

Adam McCarron was the width of a post from drawing Cockhill level in the 25th minute, the ball rebounding back into the grateful arms of Cannon.

Doherty saved with his feet from Conor Black after he got on the end of a superb Ellison pass down the left channel.

Doherty denied Tony McNamee with a strong save after the former Finn Harps midfielder cut in from the right.

Cockhill’s Daniel Doherty tried his luck from distance as half-time approached, but his attempt flew wide beyond the stretching Cannon.

On the blow of the interval, Doherty parried away a powerful McNamee free kick.

Gareth Harkin and Lee McMonagle were off target with half chances for Bonagee in a second half of few clear-cut openings.

Cockhill were without the injured Garbhan Friel, while new recruit Luke Rudden had to withdraw at half-time due to sickness.

Substitute Adam Duffy nodded wide at the front post as Cockhill sought a way back.

Just when it seemed as if time was up, Stephen Duffy stepped up with a vital leveller.

There was time only for Bonagee to kick-off again and the final whistle shrilled.

Bonagee remain the pace setters, Jason Gibson’s men holding a two-point buffer with a game in hand.

Bonagee United: Oisin Cannon; Jamie Lynagh, Darragh Ellison (Michael Funston 67), Gareth Breslin, Mark Harkin; Stephen Black, Dan O'Donnell, Gareth Harkin, Lee McMonagle (Sean Hume 87); Tony McNamee (Dean O’Donnell 90), Conor Black (Deano Larkin 79).

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty; Keegan Hegarty, Lee McColgan, Jason Breslin, Lee McLaughlin; Adam McCarron (Stephen Duffy 82), Christy McLaughlin, Daniel Doherty, James Bradley (Adam McLaughlin 71); Luke Rudden (Adam Duffy h-t), Fionn McClure.

Referee: Barry Maxwell.