A Philip Donnelly stoppage time header ensured the first ever top flight derby between Newry City and Warrenpoint Town ended with honours even at The Showgrounds. 

Both sides had their chances in the first half.

‘Point came closest after Eamon Scannell picked out Fra McCaffrey but with only Andy Coleman to beat he fired low into the arms of the Newry keeper.

At the other end Stephen Hughes jinked his way forward to the edge of the area before his deflected effort fell just wide of Aaron McCarey’s left post.

But the deadlock was broken three minutes into the second half. Mark McCabe broke into the area but was impeded by Max Kouogun prompting referee Lee Tavinder to award a penalty which Jimmy Walker duly stepped up to convert sending McCarey the wrong way.

That was how it stayed until late in the game. Warrenpoint came closest to levelling when Scannell lifted the ball over from the left side of the area but Kouogun headed narrowly wide.

Then, in the 91st minute, the visitors got their equaliser after Donnelly glanced home Ciaran O’Connor’s cross.

Newry City: Coleman, Mooney, King, Boyle, McCann, Walker, Carville, McCabe, S. Hughes, M. Hughes, Montgomery subs Maguire (not used), McCaul (replaced King 13), Lavery (not used), Rushe (not used), Delaney (not used), Teggart (not used), McArdle (replaced Mooney 46)

Warrenpoint Town: McCarey, Hughes, Moan, Kelly, Griffin, O’Sullivan, McCaffrey, Kouogun, Scannell, Norton, Wallace subs McGrandles, J. Lynch (not used), M. Lynch (not used), Watters (replaced Moan 73), O’Connor (replaced Norton 62), Donnelly (replaced O’Sullivan 71), Turker (not used)

Referee: Lee Tavinder

Attendance: 1156