Bangor made it six wins from six league games on Saturday, but they had to work hard to claim all three points against a lively Chimney Corner side.
Hugh Sinclair’s men had the lead at the end of an eventful first half but it was the visitors who would have been happier with their display.
The pace and agility of the Chimney Corner frontline caused the back three of Bangor problems particularly in the first period but Bangor’s clinical finishing gave them an edge.
When Michael Haskins gave his side a 12th minute lead, it was no less than the visitors deserved. In the opening minutes Luke Fenton fired into the side netting from a well worked corner routine while Gareth Beattie made a vital interception as the Bangor man found himself as the last line of defence against three attackers on the edge of the penalty area.
The pressure paid off though when Ross Clarke picked out Haskins’ run, and having left Sammy Devine and Chris Getty stranded, the Chimney Corner forward found the back of the net.
The lead only lasted five minutes as Bangor struck back through Jack Mallin. A Mark Cooling corner was palmed away by goalkeeper Ewan McGrath as Mallin spun quickly to rifle a shot past the helpless keeper to level the scores.
Paul Cairnduff, who had replaced the injured Darren Gibbons in the starting lineup, was down to his left quickly to hold Haskins’ close range effort after the Chimney Corner forward danced his way through the Bangor defence.
At the other end, Jack Mallin showed similar fancy footwork and his effort was rewarded when he was upended inside the penalty area by Graham Ervine. The composed Cooling drilled his effort into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
If Bangor thought they could relax with the lead, they were swiftly brought back to reality when another breakaway from Chimney Corner saw Reece Gilmour setup Kyle Robinson who expertly poked his angled effort into the far corner.
To their credit, Bangor responded well and had the lead again in the 34th minute. This time Ben Arthurs outjumped the visiting goalkeeper to nod in a Cooling corner from a couple of yards.
Bangor had breathing space five minutes later when, from a long Cairnduff kick, Brandon Nelson centred the ball for Arthurs to spin and send a half-volley fizzing into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the season.
It could have been five for Bangor just before the break. McGrath tipped Cooling’s 25-yard free kick over the crossbar and from the resultant corner, Ryan Arthur saw his header cleared off the goal line.
After an exhilarating first 45 minutes, the second half was less eventful with Bangor much more in control of proceedings.
Ben Arthurs fired into the side netting from a tight angle while substitute Adam Calvert also missed the target after an exchange of passing with Michael Halliday.
Chimney Corner never gave up, though. The impressive Ross Clarke forced Cairnduff into a smart save low to his right from 20 yards while Jack Chalmers did beat the Bangor ‘keeper but Calvert was on hand to head clear off the line.
Bangor: Cairnduff, Arthur, Beattie, Devine (46′ Calvert), Getty, Mallin, Nelson, Cooling, Halliday (76′ Long), Curtis, Arthurs (67′ Boylan). Subs not used: Widdowson, McMullan
Scorers: Mallin (17′), Cooling (pen 25′), Arthurs (34′, 39′)
Booked: Mallin
Chimney Corner: McGrath, McCauley (53′ Coulter), Fenton, Ervine (86′ Ryles), Chalmers, Clarke, Cummings (86′ Magill), Haggan, Gilmour, Haskins, Robinson. Subs not used: Murphy, Butler
Scorers: Haskins (12′), Robinson (30′)
Booked: Haggan
