All to play for

LIGHTNING struck twice when Donegal Celtic keeper Declan Brown denied Institute a massive victory in last night's first leg promotion play-off at Suffolk Road.

In 2006 the net-minder saved Ruairi Boyle's spot-kick and he was at it again last night when he kept out David Ogilby's late penalty, in a disappointing and tense affair.

The result means Institute have 90 minutes to save their Carling Premiership status this Friday night, after they secured a score-less draw at Donegal Celtic, in the first leg of their promotion play-off.

The Waterside men went into the first leg without midfielder Ruairi McClean and striker Joe McCready; thankfully for John Gregg the front-man is available for Friday night's second leg, however defender Paddy McLaughlin and McClean miss that encounter at Drumahoe, because of work commitments.

These sides met four years ago at a similar stage with the Belfast men coming out on top 3-1 after the two legs.

Both sets of players knew how important the first goal was going to be and neither team really created anything in the opening quarter.

The first shot in anger came from the visitors but Gary McFadden's long range drive on 26 minutes failed to trouble Celtic keeper Declan Brown.

Celtic went straight up the other end and had a half-chance themselves, but like McFadden, midfielder Ciaran Gargin blasted over from 16 yards, after Tony Heagney's cut-back had created the opening.

Institute would have taken the lead and scored that all important away goal just after the hour mark, but for a super block from Barry Spence.

Centre-back Ian Curran lost possession to Sean Friars 20 yards from goal, but the 'Stute striker's goal bound shot from just inside the area, was bravely charged down by the alert centre-back.

DC had the first shot on target on 65 minutes when full-back Thomas Lambe skipped away from Thomas Wray, but his volley from the left hand side of the box, was tipped over by Cullen.

Neither side in truth did enough to win the game, but right at the death a Ryan Semple corner found Ogilby and his knock down fell to substitute Paul Lowry, but he dragged his shot wide.

Deep into stoppage time saw another Semple corner - this was handled inside the area by Paul McVeigh and referee Brian Turkington rightly pointed to the spot, but Ogilby's resulting penalty to Brown's right was kept out by the keeper.

Institute: Cullen, Wray, McLaughlin, Ogilby, Seydak; Semple, Boyle, McFadden, Holmes; Divin, Friars. Subs: Lowry for Holmes (58); Blackburn, Mullan, Smith & Crown (not used).

Donegal Celtic: Brown, Heagney, Curran, Spence, Lambe; Bradley, McAlorum, Watson, Gargin; McVeigh, O'Neill. Subs: McAllister for Gargin (55); Adamzyk for O'Neill (71); Duff, Cleary & Glen Holmes (not used).

Referee: Mr Brian Turkington (Belfast).

Cautioned: Ogilby (27); McAlorum (44); Seydak (67); Wray (72); Boyle (77); Watson (78).