McGuinness the double hero as Bellurgan rescue last-gasp draw at United Park

NEFL Premier Division

Boyne Harps 4-4 Bellurgan United

Aoghan McGuinness scored twice in the closing minutes as Bellurgan United inflicted a big dent to Boyne's title-hopes at United Park on Thursday night.

Having scored three times in the opening 20-minutes, Harps struck their fourth a minute into stoppage time to spark wild celebrations after McGuinness had drawn United level with four-minutes to play.

However, the right-back - pushed to a more advanced role later in the game - was to have the final say of an eight-goal thriller when heading home Diarmuid Murphy's 94th minute corner-kick. 

A defensive mistake gifted Boyne their opener before former Drogheda United man Guy Bates put the joint-league leaders further ahead. 

Ciarán Sheelan pulled one back for the visitors, however, his strike would be cancelled out on 18-minutes in the most controversial of circumstances. Despite the linesman flagging for offside, the referee over-ruled the decision to award the goal.

Though, undeterred, Bellurgan pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Paddy Keenan. They carried this boost into the second-half where they struck both the post and the 'bar prior to McGuinness tapping home after Sheelan's shot had been saved.

But all their good work looked to be in vain when another defensive mishap saw Boyne go ahead, only for McGuinness to put a fitting final touch on an incredible match to maintain Bellurgan's five-match unbeaten streak.

Bellurgan United: Robbie Arthur; Aoghan McGuinness, Owen Traynor, Ray Finnegan, Emmet Rogan; Stephen Finnegan, Brian White, Owen Armstrong, Shane Finnegan; Paddy Keenan, Ciarán Sheelan

Subs: Gavin Gregory, Diarmuid Murphy, Tadgh O'Connor, Declan Sharkey, Darren O'Hanlon