IRISH LEAGUE: Pat McGibbon gleans positives as Portadown claim crucial point

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Ballinamallard United at Shamrock Park was McGibbon’s first reward since becoming interim boss last month.

The caretaker manager endured four successive defeats before finally earning a point to stay ninth in the table.

“We would obviously like to have taken more from the game, but we have to do with a point,” McGibbon said.

“We probably should have come away with more than we have over the last couple of games, but that’s football.

“We are now into the split and every game is going to be like a cup final for us.

“It is going to be tense, but it is the same for all the other clubs around us. We gave the ball away quite a bit today, and that can come down to nerves.

“There are positives to take from the game. Garry Breen was immense, and Ken Oman and Matty Parker played well.

“So it was good to keep a clean sheet and get something from the game, and it is something to build on.”

Mallards manager Whitey Anderson was content to earn a point at Shamrock Park, but believes his side could have emerged with more if they had demonstrated more of a clinical edge in front of goal.

“I think a draw was a fair result. I don’t think either side deserved to win the game,” Anderson said.

“We had chances and maybe we should have done better in front of goal.

“But it was a tough away game and we have taken a point from it. We now have four more massive games to go and we will need to pick up more points.

“I have always said that it will probably all boil down to the final Saturday of the season, and that’s the way it is looking at the minute.

“The bottom end of the table looks like going down to the wire.”