WATCH: 'Let's call a spade a spade' - Glentoran boss Declan Devine heaps credit on Bangor's Tiarnan Mulvenna for special goal

The east Belfast side had lost their two previous games - against rock-bottom Glenavon then Dungannon Swifts - and Devine demanded a response.

But it looked as though the poor run would continue when Tiarnan Mulvenna shot the Seasiders into the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

It was a genuine ‘Goal of the Season’ contender.

Bangor, however, managed to hold their advantage only for eight minutes, when the lethal Pat Hoban got on the end of a Ryan Cooney cross and his finish proved emphatic.

Devine’s boys may have ended the losing run but the manager believes they should have left with all three points instead of one.

“It was one that got away, I thought we were very dominant,” said Devine. “I thought we dug in when needed and I thought there were some big performances.

“When we analyse the game, I think they had two chances and we had five...when you see the chances we didn’t take, that’s when the frustration creeps in.

“Then we got punished but, let’s call a spade a spade, it was a really good finish by Mulvenna...sometimes you’ve got to hold up your hand.

“The one thing I can’t criticise was the commitment and desire of the players.

“After they scored, we produced a great response – it was a great finish from Pat.

"I still think we were a little bit careless in our opponent’s box at times.

“The players are disappointed because we knew we had the opportunities.

"That’s the biggest frustration - but there are fine margins in these games.”

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Bangor manager Lee Feeney admitted he was proud of his players after a “difficult month”.

“We’ve lost a few games with last-minute goals in recent weeks but I thought we managed the game well, even though we may have been under a bit of pressure at the end,” he said. “I told the players after the game, I can’t fault the effort they put in every week...their focus and concentration right to the end was exceptional.

“We have matched most teams in the league which is pleasing (after promotion to this season into the top flight).

"The defeats we’ve suffered have mostly been by the one goal.

“We care about our performances; we care about how we do and we care about results.

"There is no one in our dressing room that doesn’t care...no-one will give up or lie down and that’s all I can ask for.”

BANGOR: Solis Grogan, Neale, Haughey, Harrision, Hassin (McGuinness, 74), Mulvenna, Arthurs, Cushnie (Morgan, 82), Lynch, Francis, Devlin.

Subs (not used): McMahon, Owens, O’Mahony, Garrett, Burns.

GLENTORAN: Mills, Kelly (Cooney, 15), Thomson, Palmer (Jenkins, 75), Hoban, Stewart, Coll, McEleney, Fisher, Amos, Singleton.

Subs (not used): Crellin, Ferris, Burt, Kamara, Weatherup.

Referee: Steven Gregg.