TOWN 'keeper Kieran Maguire raced from his line after 12 minutes to block a certain Verner goal and Town had a little bit of luck when the goal ace chipped the rebound over the bar.

It was a dour midfield battle generally with the shipyard men creating the better chances.

Town defender Stuart Thompson made a great clearance after 19 minutes when he hooked a dangerous in-swinging corner off his line and over his own crossbar.

In fact "Big Stu" was at the heart of Town's only real scoring chance of the first half when he forced a great finger-tip save from Dougherty in the Welders goal following a 29th minute free-kick.

Verner raced on to a ball over the home defence after 32 minutes but his left foot drive was well held by Maguire.

Six minutes later he repeated that save with a similar stop from a Brown 20-yard effort.

He was unlucky to be finally beaten one minute into injury time at the end of the half Johnston when Verner combined cleverly to open up the Town rear-guard but Maguire made a great save with his feet from Johnston only to see his striking partner Verner follow up to give the gallant Town 'keeper no chance from 4 yards.

Whatever Ronnie Haughey said to his charges at the break they certainly came out with fire in their bellies and within a minute Ryan Moffatt had a corner scrambled off the line and skipper Kingsberry had penalty claims waved away by the referee in the 49th minute after he seemed to have his jersey pulled in the box.

However the Welders soon assumed control again and it was not until the 70th minute that Banbridge threatened again.

This time a fine Simon Robb cross was taken off the head of the inrushing Ryan Moffatt by 'keeper Dougherty.

Although not fully fit Stephen McArdle was introduced to Town's attack in an attempt to find an equaliser.

Then in the 73rd minute the visitors took a 2 - 0 lead when after a right wing King corner Town custodian Maguire punched into his own net under severe pressure from Harris.

It was tough luck on the young 'keeper but ended any hopes Town had of getting anything out of the game.

Cahoon fired wide for Welders after 79 minutes as the visitors held on easily for a fully deserved three points.