Ards put Tuesday night's disaster behind them and picked up three more league points at home thanks to three second half goals that complimented Justin McBride's early opener.

Lurgan Celtic had a penalty saved on the stroke of half-time that would have brought them level and that missed opportunity was severely punished by Darren Stirling twice in the next fifteen minutes to win the game for Ards.

David Cully was the only one of the injured group of players fit enough to be named on the bench, while Ards were also without Johnny Shaw and Ricky Billing, both suspended after being sent off on Tuesday night. Stephen Johnston came into the midfield in place of Shaw while Justin McBride gained a rare start at the expense of David Wright.

Justin McBride - scored the opener

What a decision that proved to be for the manager as Justy put Ards in front in under two minutes. A move began through Johnny Roy in his own half and he made his way through the Celtic midfield before paying the ball off to Kris Pike. A short pass inside from the Ards left-back found McBride and his turn in the box finished with a low shot to the far corner of the net.

Lurgan came back to pressure the Ards goal on 19 minutes when first a McGuire drive from a tight angle flashed across the Ards box before two other players followed up with efforts that were charged down by the defence. Another opportunity arose for Celtic on 26 minutes when keeper Andy McDonald unwisely tried to take on striker Kenny Camlin on the edge of his area. McDonald was dispossessed and the ball fired over into the centre where defender Gary Spence had to mop up the danger.

On 31 minutes a ball in from Craig McMillen put Celtic in danger however the inviting cross swerved wildly to catch out both Darren Stirling and his marker. An in-swinging corner from McMillen some moments later was headed off the visitors' goal-line.

While Ards might well have been more than one ahead by the break, they almost found themselves heading in level. Lurgan were awarded a corner on the left side and as the ball came over goalkeeper McDonald was seen to clearly shove an opponent on the line and concede a needless penalty. Following deliberations that included a yellow card for the goalkeeper, McDonald made amends for his actions by superbly keeping out the spot kick from Lawless.

Johnny Roy - impressive

The set-up for an exciting second half began on 50 minutes when Ards doubled their lead. Johnny Roy involved again as he skipped by his marker on the left touchline and whipped over a low cross-ball that the keeper couldn't claim. His covering defender made a real hash of things too and there was poacher Stirling waiting behind to stab the ball into the unguarded net.

A neat move five minutes after that could have produced a third with Aaron McKee lifting the ball over the top for the impressive McBride to lay off to Roy and he drilled a low shot past the far upright. On 58 it was indeed 3-0 with a left-wing cross from McKee reaching Stirling and he directed a cheeky header over the flailing arms of Fox.

That put Stirling on ten for the season and he went in search of his hat-trick twice in the next ten minutes. Just following the goal he got a head to volleyed cross in from McMillen but directed the effort over the bar and then a similar set-up saw Stirling head into the arms of Fox from another McMillen pass.

The chances now flowed freely for Ards and a fourth goal seemed inevitable. A great move in the 72nd minute had McMillen knocking the ball back from the bye-line into Stephen Johnston, who played it first time out right to Roy and the tireless winger again drove for goal only to miss the target by inches.

McMillen had a shot of his own roll past the post on 80 minutes and then Lurgan had one of their few looks at the Ards goal two minutes after that; McDonald required to hold a 25 yard turn and volley from O'Hara.

With two minutes of the game to run Ards were finally rewarded with their fourth of the match and a fine finish it was too from Johnston who, on the backfoot, headed over Fox from Roy's cross left-wing cross with Wright following the ball over the goal-line.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSORS Premier Ards Supporters' Club

Team	Substitutes
1 Andy McDonald (GK) 45	13 Lee Rutherford (GK)
2 Darren Nixon	14 David Wright (for Stirling 78)
3 Kris Pike	17 Ryan Hyland (for McBride 72)
4 Gary Spence	18 David Cully
5 James Wilson
7 Craig McMillen	Referee Norman Thompson
9 Darren Stirling
10 Aaron McKee (capt)	Scorers Justin McBride 2, Darren Stirling 50, 58,
12 Johnny Roy	Stephen Johnston 88
16 Stephen Johnston
20 Justin McBride

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