The Whites had battled most of the second half with just ten men after Ryan McCann was harshly red carded and were worthy of all three points until sub Dean Fitzgerald nipped in to level the scores on 88 minutes.

Peter McCann headed the Whites into an 11th-minute lead after connecting with a fine cross from fullback Pat McShane.

The Whites continued to impress with their neat patterns of play on a rain sodden pitch and striker Darren Armour missed a great chance to double the lead when he lashed a shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

At the other end goalkeeper Philip Matthews twice denied Daryl Fordyce and made two more fine saves from Matt Burrows in the second half.

Ryan McCann was harshly red-carded for an alleged elbowing offence, but with a hard working defence the Whites almost held out.

The Whites face another big test on Tuesday night when Cliftonville come to New Grosvenor, 7.45pm start.


LINFIELD 1 NEWRY TOWN 0

SUMMER signing John Martin eased Linfield nerves in a tense battle with Newry Town at Windsor Park.

Martin came off the bench to replace Michael Gault who did not recover from crashing into the post as he dived to meet a cross from Glenn Ferguson midway through the second half.

Martin was only a minute into the action when he won a free kick on the left, Damian Curran floated over the cross and when the ball fell into his path the former Distillery winger drilled a low shot past a pack of players and into the far corner for the vital winner.

Little happened in the first half, both teams unable to get a clean shot on goal, but the Blues did raise the tempo after the break. William Murphy hit the bar with a fine header and Michael Carvill had an effort blocked.

Newry worked hard and towards the end made life uneasy for the Blues, but they held out for a vital opening win.

The Blues travel to Dungannon on Tuesday night with an 8.00pm start, but they could be without Gault and Carvill who limped off near the end.