Down have finally got a point on the board in Senior Two.

The locals fought back twice against league leaders Omagh last weekend in a game where the visitors created enough chances to win the match.

But some poor finishing and excellent 'keeping from Bobbie Hawkes kept Omagh in the game and Down will be hoping to notch their first win of the season when they face Ballymena at home this weekend.

Down got off to the worst possible start last Saturday when skipper Jeremy McCready was yellow-carded by the home umpire. Omagh opened the scoring early on with a goal from play when Down 'keeper Carl Mullan, who was deputising for the unavailable Mark Johnston, could do nothing.

A ball whipped into the penalty area from the left wasn't cut out by the visiting defenders and an Omagh forward had time to pick his spot past Mullan.

One thing Down can never be accused of is lack of fighting spirit and within minutes of going behind the visitors were back on level terms. The goal was created by the hardworking Gavin Ringland who went on a penetrating run from the halfway line. When he reached the Omagh 25-yard line he picked out McCready, who was now back on, and the striker gave Hawkes no chance with a powerful shot.

Ringland then wasted good chances to put Down 2-1 ahead; his first shot flew past the wrong side of the post while the second was saved by Hawkes. The Omagh 'keeper then denied McCready when it looked as though the visiting striker was about to give his side the lead.

The second half was just a few minutes old when Down's Adam McKee gave away possession and an Omagh forward accepted the present, drilling the ball past Mullan.

Down again went in search of an equaliser as play swung from end to end and while Hawkes was kept busy, Mullan was rarely troubled. Mark Elliott then missed when well placed in the middle of the Omagh penalty area and Ringland also missed again.

McKee made up for his earlier mistake when he scored to level the game at 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. He picked the ball up on the halfway line, powered his way into the Omagh penalty are and, from what looked like an impossible angle from which to score, drilled the ball past Hawkes who was probably disappointed he didn't save the midfielder's shot.

Ringland saw another shot saved by Hawkes and with Elliott struggling with injury and Willie Price forced to vacate his defensive duties to umpire, Down settled for a point in the end. However, they did create enough chances to win the game.

This Saturday it's Ballymena and nothing less than a win will do.