Eddie Patterson's side currently hold that all-important last spot with a five point advantage over Institute, the only realistic threat, but they have played a game more than John Gregg's charges.

Newry thought they had moved in front after just seven minutes when Paul Keenan headed home a Kevin Keegan corner but referee Brian Turkington had spotted an earlier infringement and ruled the 'goal' out.

The Reds might have taken the lead after 20 minutes when Chris Scannell pounced on a sloppy Cullen Feeney back header but 'keeper Andy Coleman managed to deflect the ball over the bar for a corner.

City were reduced to ten men just before the break when Emmet Friars picked up a second booking but they came within a whisker of taking the lead early in the second half when Keenan scuffed the ball from just six yards allowing Ciaran Donaghy to clear off the line.

It proved a costly miss when, on 58 minutes, Mark Holland grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game when he headed home after Coleman had misjudged a Ryan Catney cross.