Glentoran 1-1 Ards

Glentoran had to come from behind to recover and claim a point against 10-man Ards at The Oval.

Warren Feeney's side had taken the lead in the first half through Michael McLellan before Kym Nelson was sent off, with Darren Murray equalising after the break.

The home side started with promise; in the 11th minute David McDaid headed wide from Chris Gallagher's corner, and the forward then took a heavy touch when Marcus Kane's 19th minute cross fell at his feet inside the box.

Darren Murray showed clever feet, eluding a few tackles before shooting over in the 25th, and 2 minutes later Curtis Allen rattled the bar with an angled volley from the left.

The striker had another chance soon after, flicking McDaid's near-post cross just over the bar - but Ards went close too in the 35th.

Michael McLellan played a smart reverse pass to Mark Kelly, and his shot was clawed away by Dwayne Nelson en route to the top corner.

It was a sign of things to come for the visitors, who took the lead in the 41st minute.

Craig McClean whipped in a cross from the left, and with Glentoran scrambling to clear it, McLellan was free to poke to ball beyond Nelson to give his side the lead.

However, their task of hanging onto that lead was made all the more difficult when Kym Nelson was sent off shortly before the break for an off-the-ball incident.

Ards sat deep as they tried to protect their fragile lead, but with the numerical advantage, Glentoran soon equalised.

With 70 minutes on the clock, debutant Jame Glover delivered a free kick from the right which was flicked towards goal by Allen. With the ball about the nestle in the bottom corner, Darren Murray popped up to tap into the net with the ball virtually on the line.

Gallagher went close for the Glens as the home side tried to press home their advantage and secure all 3 points - but Willy Garrett's header came back off the bar in the 90th minute, and it finished level.