Paul Neill marked his return to action with a goal-of-the-season strike against South Antrim thirds at Malone Park.

The midfielder was making his first appearance of the campaign and is back with a bang.

Down, who are hoping to make a surge for promotion this season, fielded one of their strongest line-ups in recent weeks and were too strong for their Lisburn opponents in this Junior 4 clash.

The visitors started well and looked threatening, but James Erskine and Trevor McClurg were on top of their game in the heart of the home defence.

South Antrim arrived with a strong and experienced side and sitting just above Down in the league before the start of play, were hoping to put a little more daylight between the sides.

Down opened the scoring in the 20th minute through a man enjoying an excellent run this season. Philip Brown seized the ball after a short corner move had broken down and rifled it past the 'keeper.

Colin Gibson, Raymond McClurg, skipper Johnny Lennon and Neil kept it tight in the middle of the park and 10 minutes before the break, the latter popped up with that wonder strike.

Gibson squared the ball to Neill just inside his own half. The midfielder got his head down and headed for goal, side-stepping the challenges of three defenders on the way.

Once inside the penalty area, he drew the 'keeper off his line before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. Superb.

It was all one-way traffic at this stage. Down's 'keeper, Mark Johnston, had a few routine saves to make, but he was rarely troubled as the home side dominated the game.

Down's third goal of the afternoon came 12 minutes into the second period and was scored by Clifford Lennon. Cliffhanger was in the right place at the right time after brother's Johnny bullet short corner strike was blocked by the 'keeper. The rebound fell to Cliff who made no mistake from close in.

But the scoring still wasn't over and Down sealed an emphatic win in the closing stage when Gibson's all-round performance was rewarded with a superb goal from open play.

This Saturday, Down face runaway leagues leaders Bangor fourths at Malone Park and the visitors will not relish the prospect of facing Johnny Lennon's side on the shale.

Bangor are undefeated this season and many of the teams chasing them will be hoping Down can do them a massive favour.