Loughgall bounced back from their poor recent form to earn a credible draw with title challengers H&W Welders at Lakeview Park.
After an evenly-fought and scoreless first half, Loughgall’s task was made harder when they were reduced to ten men in the 51st minute after Gary Henderson was shown a second yellow card for a foul.
However on 56 minutes Jamie Rea capitalised on a error by Welders ‘keeper Michael Dougherty as the ball slipped out of his hands when he slid across the surface to recover the loose ball. Rea, from a tight angle, struck the post however the ball fell kindly for Warner Mullen to blast the rebound home from close range.
One minute later the visitors were reduced to ten men as well after Dan McMurray was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, after he was initially fouled by Warner Mullen.
In the 69th minute the East Belfast side levelled from the penalty spot through Scott Davidson after he was upended by Nicky Hudson when bursting into the penalty area.
Loughgall regained their lead on 76 minutes when Welders defender Darren Nixon reacted slowly and fouled Daniel Ryan just inside the penalty area. Mullen stepped up and accurately fired the ball past the diving Dougherty.
H&W Welders equalised with seven minutes remaining in cruel fashion as Davidson’s shot, from the edge of the penalty area, deflected off Mark Carson wrong-footing goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan and nestling in the back of the net.
