After a quiet first half in north Belfast, the game between the league’s top two burst into life mere moments after the interval when Joe Gormley’s defence-splitting through ball released Kris Lowe. With only Chris Johns to beat, the midfielder skied his volley over, spurning a gilt-edged opportunity for the hosts.
This missed chance seemed to ignite the visitors’ attacking spirit. The Blues hit back and thought they had broken the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Matthew Fitzpatrick’s towering header from Kyle McClean’s inch-perfect free-kick found Joel Cooper, who unleashed a volley that arrowed into the top corner. However, the winger’s ecstasy was fleeting as the offside flag cut his celebrations agonizingly short.
Buoyed by this near-miss, David Healy’s charges continued to probe. Five minutes later, Chris McKee connected with Kirk Millar’s tantalizing freekick, but his glancing header sailed agonizingly over the crossbar, further intensifying the away side’s frustration.
Not to be outdone, Jim Magilton’s men responded with renewed vigour. In the 65th minute, Ryan Curran pirouetted brilliantly on the edge of the area before unleashing a vicious shot that seemed destined to nestle in the bottom right-hand corner. However, Johns produced a moment of sheer brilliance, diving full-stretch to fingertip the ball behind for a corner, denying the Reds the breakthrough.