In what was a disappointing first half it was Paul Walsh who came closest to breaking the deadlock with a drive against the crossbar on 35 while other home efforts included a Davy Hawthorne shot and a Nathan McConnell attempt from a Gerard McMahon cross.

However the opening goal didn't arrive until the 56th minute when Gerard McMahon finished off an Aidan McVeigh cross which the visiting defence failed to clear.

Paul Barron almost levelled for the Villagers soon after but his stinging effort was ably turned over by Paul Rice.