The chase for promotion into the Premiership is an intense dash, so when the two primary pacesetters in the second-tier collided at Wilgar Park, it could well have been a case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
Not so, as it proved – in fact, following their head-on clash on Tuesday night, the race for an automatic step-up opened in perhaps the biggest way yet.
League leaders Dundela, having played two games fewer than closest challengers Institute, looked set to widen the chasm to six points having broke the deadlock early in the second half against their north west adversaries.
In-form Jordan Jenkins’ control was on point as he skipped away from a ‘Stute defender into wide open space that put him clean through.
The 23-year-old was unerring in his end product, blasting low beyond goalkeeper Gareth Muldoon into the right corner and sending the Duns terrace into a chorus of cheer on 56 minutes.
But it wasn’t to go unresponded. Kevin Deery’s visitors struck just six minutes later; on his league debut for his new club, Mikhail Kennedy marked the occasion with a flourish, with the unfortunate Lewis Hunter having fumbled the ball straight into the path of the former Crusaders line-leader.
He duly prodded home to bring matters back to an even footing in east Belfast, setting up a grandstand remainder.
From six minutes later to six minutes from time, the decisive third goal of the game arrived, and after Glentoran loanee Jenkins showed what he could do, a Glens talent from the other side was determined not to be outdone.
Kirk McLaughlin scooped up the ball near the byline and danced his way beyond a pair of Duns tackles, making the most of what little space he’d been afforded before drilling past Hunter into the far bottom left corner.
It was his turn to wheel away and toast what proved to be the match-winner; when the final whistle sounded, the sides’ separation on the night made them inseparable in the standings.
A 2-1 victory for ‘Stute, joining their green-shirted adversaries on 43 points at the Playr-Fit Championship summit.
From Duns boss Stephen Gourley’s perspective, it was one that got away. A chance to cement their status at the top let slip.
With experienced defensive duo Jaimie McGovern and Jay Magee suspended, the backline cut a more makeshift look – Andy Hall, a forward-minded player by trade, skippered the team from centre-back – but to cede all the points from a leading position must have hurt.
However, revitalised Institute, who are already five points better off than their entire tally from 2022/23 when they finished second-bottom, will take heart and wear it on their sleeve as they pursue a top-flight return three and a half years on from when they dropped out at the height of Covid.
Kennedy’s 17 goals that helped Dergview evade the drop last term earned him that move to the Crues, hence the Derryman’s return to the division this winter always felt like a statement of ‘Stute’s promotion intent.
Young guns like Larne-linked midfielder Oisin Devlin – the 17-year-old wonderkid was composed beyond his years yet again in midweek – Michael Harris, Tiarnan McKinney and, of course, 12-goal top scorer McLaughlin are only getting better as their game time mounts up, aided by the experience of those such as Evan Tweed and Ryan Morrow who have been there and done it.
Former Derry City captain Deery has his array of full-blooded battlers in maroon and blue firing on all cylinders, and although Amateur League outfit Crumlin Star sent them the 120-minute distance in the Irish Cup a few days earlier, ‘Stute didn’t show any signs of fatigue.
Now unbeaten in five and ultimately spurred on having defeated Star 2-0 at the Brandywell to book their Sixth Round spot, Dundela’s fortunes in the revered 143-year-old competition were not so kind – they fell 2-1 to Newington and have lost three on the bounce.
These bumps in the road can happen – after all, no one is taken prisoner in the Championship; it’s just the nature of the beast – but Gourley will hope this mini-slump stays as minor a blip as possible.
The Duns face their near-neighbours and basement dwellers Knockbreda in the Castlereagh Hills next up where they will be cast as firm favourites to return to winning ways. Bangor (third-place) and Portadown (fourth-place) follow in tough tests thereafter – albeit both are sides that they have beaten already this term.
The Hen Run establishment can’t cut the image of a wounded animal. A strong start to the season has them in good stead, but a run of defeats can quickly change the picture and put them on the back foot.
With Magee, McGovern and hotshot striker Lee Rea returning after their bans, they should avoid that scenario. All the same, though, complacency is the last thing they can afford.
Institute face Annagh United, Ballyclare Comrades and Ards in a run that could also prove a banana skin, and Deery likewise will guard against his charges settling for what they have.
It may be overthinking, it may be a blip, it may be a one-off… but their win at Wilgar could be a watershed in the promotion race.
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