Two defeats from two starts in All Ireland League Three and with nothing to show from either leaving them bottom of the table with Co Carlow.

Coach Willie Anderson was disappointed not to have taken something out of the trip to Belfast, seeing his side spurn a deserved losing bonus point at the end with a silly bit of back chat which reversed a penalty. Inst slotted it over and that took them one point clear of the required difference to send Rainey back to Magherafelt with nothing.

"I was very disappointed at the end," said Anderson. "You know, I know and everyone here knows we deserved to get a bonus point out of that today."

The former international player added: "but fair play to Instonians, they took their chances, although I thought we gave them a fairly easy score just before half time. That was crucial to the final outcome."
Rainey had taken a 6-3 lead, but trailed 17-6 at the break after two converted tries by the hosts.

However, the Magherafelt side dug in during the second half and Michael Glancy (pictured right )kept them well in touch with three penalties to bring them within two points. Jerone McMurray also played a huge part with some great line kicking, but Rainey were just not able to make more of their chances as they showed enthusiasm and enterprise in running the ball.

Anderson was not too despondent and said he was proud of the players for their efforts they put in.

"We went out and did really well in the second half, we competed and we performed and I had said before the match I wanted a good passionate, positive performance and the players gave me that.

"We were unlucky not to get more out of it and at one point you know if we had had a wee break in our favour we may have got more out of it.
"We cannot afford to make mistakes, particularly in defence. Certainly from last week it was a much better performance and that is important and it is something the boys should be proud of and something which I am proud of.

"You cannot go into a match to win it if you have not performed, they know what they need to do to win a match. They need to just cut out a few wee mistakes in defence and take their chances.

"They took one of their chances today and scored a try and we were probably unlucky not to have scored another try. In the second half we curtailed them to their half a lot.

"I was disappointed in the end because at the very least we deserved to get a point out of it. But we know that Rome was not built in a day and we will continue to build from that second half today."

Rainey are back at Hatrick Park next week with what is a must-win home game against Connemara.

The two Ulster derbies bring a certain amount of familiarity with them and Anderson thought perhaps they may do better when playing a team they do not know a lot about.

"We deserved something from today's game, but the players know what is needed and we will certainly be looking to get that first win next week and then move on."