Linfield and Glentoran share the spoils in six-goal thriller

Taking charge of the Blues for the 250th time, the former Northern Ireland international striker was first on to the pitch to congratulate defender Jimmy Callacher, who bagged a 95th minute equaliser against NINE man Glentoran.

It was a night of sheer drama, played out in front of only 500 home fans.

Callacher grabbed the headlines with his late party piece after goals from Jordan Stewart and Shayne Lavery had shot the Blues ahead on two occasions.

But gritty Glentoran, looking for their first win of the campaign hit back through Paul O’Neill and Jay Donnelly, while Robbie McDaid shot them in front for the first time with three minutes left.

The visitors finished grossly under strength having had goalkeeper Dayle Coleing – he had a nightmare night – and skipper Seanan Clucas dismissed.

Healy’s team asked all the first half questions but had to wait 17 minutes to rest goalkeeper Dayle Coleing.

Glentoran skipper Seanan Clucas hauled down Stephen Mallon 30 yards out, but Kirk Millar could only hoof his free kick into the gloves of Coleing.

Linfield then produced a wonderful move, involving skipper Jamie Mulgrew, Millar and Niall Quinn and, when McClean charged through the middle, his low drive whistled inches past the post.

The Blues had a big shout for a penalty when Shayne’s cross appeared to strike the arm of Clucas, but referee Steven Gregg wasn’t convinced.

Then in another penetrating move on 26 minutes, Millar sent former Glentoran man Conor Pepper racing down the right.

He managed to cut the ball back from the by-line for Lavery, who managed to take it past Coleingg, but he failed to pick out a blue shirt with is cross.

Linfield established the breakthrough on 33 minutes. McClean sent the lively Stewart free on the left and, when he waltzed past the hapless Clucas, his fierce drive appeared to be covered by Coleing, but the embarrassed shot stopper only managed to punch the ball into his own net.

The Glens tried to respond before the interval, but their only effort on goal was a Paddy McClean header, following Dale Gorman’s corner kick, but his flew harmlessly over the top.

Amazingly, the Glens were level on 49 minutes – courtesy of another goalkeeping blunder.

McDaid tried his luck with a speculative shot from 25 yards. It looked destined for the gloves of Johns, but the ball rebounded off his chest, leaving O’Neill with a simple tap in.

Johns was guilty of another blunder just after the hour when he completely misjudged a cross from O’Neill and was fortunate the ball cannoned off Pepper back into the goalkeeper’s hands.

In keeping with the theme, the Blues regained the lead on 66 minutes – and it courtesy of another howler.

This time Clucas and Coleing got themselves into a horrible mess which resulted in the big keeper hauling down Steven Fallon.

This time referee Gregg pointed to the spot and Lavery just about squeezed the ball in at the base of the post, despite a big attempt by Coleing to keep out.

Linfield could manage to keep the lead for merely three minutes.

Gorman’s piercing pass was brilliantly controlled by Donnelly, who then thumped an unstoppable shot past Johns.

But the drama still wasn’t over. Coleing was dismissed with 15 minutes remaining after he raced from his goal to flatten Lavery with a crude challenge.

It was a straight red card for the big man.

Glentoran looked to have pinched it when McDaid gobbled up a pass from Donnelly before sliding past Johns.

Clucas was then dismissed on 91 minutes for chopping down Fallon.

The Blues pushed everyone forward and Callacher duly delivered on 95 minutes, powering home a header from a Lavery cross.

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