Write a comment
Newry City's bid for a return to the Carling Premiership ended in disappointment last night when a controversial late Scott Davidson goal meant Lisburn Distillery won their play-off 3-2 on aggregate.
The Whites went in front on 18 minutes when Pat McShane crossed for Davy Larmour whose header hit the bar. But the ball bounced to Cushley who smashed a volley past Gareth Buchanan and into the net.
City levelled on 33 minutes when Don Tierney crashed a shot through a crowd of players and into the bottom left corner.
Newry took the lead on 37 minutes when captain Darren King crossed from the right and Stephen Hughes headed past a helpless Brennan to give his side the lead.
But Distillery were back on terms before the break. Hall made ground down the right and squared to Gary Thompson who poked the ball home from point blank range.
Darragh Hanaphy went close twice as Newry, trailing on the away goals rule, pushed for a winner.
But they were floored by a sucker punch with 10 minutes to go when sub Neal Gawley broke and played in Scott Davidson.
Newry's appeals for offside fell on deaf ears as Davidson slid the ball into the bottom left corner to consign Newry to another year in the Championship.
Newry City 2 Lisburn Distillery 3
