CLONEY entertained Lisburn side The Dons at Tannaghmore on Saturday past, as they sought to improve their league position.

Cloney started the game on fire and had The Dons on the back foot from the first whistle. Good link up play with the forwards and midfielders saw numerous chances created in the early stages.

As early as the third minute Ryan Graham saw his effort come back of the top of the cross bar.

In fact the Cloney hit the same piece of woodwork a further two times in the opening 20 minutes, Stuart Dickson seeing a header from a Chris Shields corner crash of the bar while a Dons defender also managed to slice a clearance onto his own bar.

Cloney continued to dominate the first half and Dickson could have had a hat-trick. First the header that cannoned of the bar, then a 30 yard effort that the keeper somehow pushed over the bar when it looked destined for the top corner, and finally another header that was cleared off the line.

Player manager Gary Knox then put Karl Cullen in with a great through ball only for a heavy touch seeing the keeper winning the race to the ball.

Knox then fed Kyle Scott with a great cross only to see the forward put the ball high, wide and handsome.

Cullen then had an effort from the edge of the box deflected wide. This was followed by a few other half efforts that the Cloney could not force home.

Manager Knox asked for more of the same after the break. The Dons however come out with a renewed vigour as they tried to increase their influence over procedures.

The game became more of a midfield battle as the Dons started to show some mettle. Cloney were still producing the best chances as the Dons struggled to get through a well marshalled home defence.

As the half progressed the Cloney started to panic slightly as they resorted to a more direct style of play after creating numerous chances in the first half with some slick interchange of passes.

Chris Shields saw a free kick go over the bar, while efforts from Knox, Graham and substitute Johnny Dowds all failed to find the target.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Dowds had a free run on goal only for a poor touch to allow the Dons keeper to collect the ball.

Cloney finally forced the ball home when substitute Damien Mallon collected a cross from Graham, his touch was heavy and the chance seemed to have passed. The defender picked up the loose ball and passed back to the keeper who saw his clearance charged down by Mallon and nestle in the back of the net.

Cloney managed to see out the final 10 minutes to hold on for a deserved victory. Best for the Cloney were young sweeper Darren Brooker who snuffed out any danger from the Dons attacks while Ryan Graham held the ball up well in the forward line. Manager Knox was pleased with the result.