It has been a fairly steady return to the top flight for Newry City but there was one statistic which was bothering manager Darren Mullen.
Up until last Sunday Newry had failed to take any points off a top six side.
They had gone close on a couple of occasions but hadn't been able to get over the line much to Mullen's consternation.
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All that changed against Larne at The Showgrounds on Sunday as the hosts produced a resolute display to deservedly grab a share of the spoils against Tiernan Lynch's title-challengers.
"It was something that was annoying me," said Mullen.
"At times we have deserved something but football can be a cruel enough game, towards the end on Sunday you're hoping you don't get hit with something we didn't deserve.
"It's been coming because we have been playing well over the last four or five games.
"We just haven't got the results the performances deserved.
"We have to build on it now, two good results and two good points and take that into the next two games.
"We had five players missing against Larne too which makes it even more impressive."
After a long winless streak Mullen is hoping his side have now turned a corner.
But despite being on the wrong side of the results the Newry boss was full of praise for the attitude of the players and fans during their tough run.
"Nine defeats in a row is difficult to deal with whether you're a manager, a player or a fan," he said.
"I have to give massive credit to everyone at the club though because spirits have been good.
"Even coming off on Sunday you could see the massive appreciation the fans have.
"We just have to make sure we keep working hard because we don't have the finances or the squads of other teams.
"We can make sure they don't work harder than we do and that showed.
"I would say most people outside of Newry expected an easy win for Larne.
"Before the game the message was whatever result they get we have to make sure they have to work for it."
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