The Mallards came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Warrenpoint at Ferney Park, leaving them with just one defeat in their last seven league games and four losses from 12 matches in the current league campaign.

Stafford acknowledged the frustration of failing to build on victories, but was keen to focus on the consistency of his side’s performances and their position in the table.

“It is something that we know and are aware of. To have 18 points and not go back-to-back is actually a credit to the players,” he said.

“It is hard to pick up that amount of points in the Championship and it’s quite amazing that we haven’t gone back-to-back, but we have only lost one of the last seven now, and when you see the teams we have played against, it is not bad. I tend to try and look at the positives of it rather than the negatives.”

The draw with Warrenpoint was a competitive encounter between two sides Stafford felt were evenly matched, with both teams creating opportunities to claim all three points.

Although Ballinamallard had targeted a home victory, the manager was satisfied with the character shown by his players in twice recovering from a deficit.

“Going into the game we obviously targeted the three points, but Warrenpoint are a good team, and they have signed really well in the summer,” he said.

“They are having a decent season, like ourselves, and I thought they were two quite evenly matched teams. They had chances and some decent possession and so did we. It was a good game. We came from behind twice to draw, and we could have nicked it, but they could have nicked it as well. It was a fair result. I was really pleased with the character of the players. Obviously, we want to win more games at home against the likes of Warrenpoint and Ards, but they are good teams and sometimes you have to appreciate that it is an extra point on the board.”

The Mallards now turn their attention to Friday night’s trip to Strabane Athletic, where they will face a side managed by Stafford’s predecessor at Ferney Park, Tommy Canning.

Stafford expects a local derby atmosphere, with familiar faces on both sides and Strabane arriving in good form.

“There will be a local derby feel to it. I know a lot of the players have played for us in the past and for Dergview, so it will have that feel, and with Tommy Canning there now as well,” he said.

“They will know us really well and we will know them really well. Strabane have had a really good spell in the league. They went to Loughgall and conceded a late equaliser, but they don’t concede many. They have only lost one of their last five, and Tommy has come in and done a really good job. They got a bad beating by Queens but they have steadied the ship and have shown they are hard to beat. They are a good side and it’s going to be a really tough game. I have no doubt they will be gunning for us.”

The fixture will be played under the lights at Limavady Showgrounds, Strabane’s nominated home ground for the season, with Stafford admitting the Friday night scheduling presents some challenges for his squad.

With players travelling considerable distances, he recognises Strabane may benefit from their familiarity with the arrangement, but believes Ballinamallard’s experience will help them cope.

“Strabane play a lot of their home games on a Friday night. We will have boys travelling long distances and it is not ideal,” he said.

“They probably think there is a wee advantage in it, and there probably is to be honest, but we will still look forward to the game. We have experienced players in our dressing room, and they have played lots of Friday nights. It is a great way to start the weekend if you get a result, so it is a game we are looking forward to. Limavady Showgrounds is a pristine pitch, and it will be under the lights. It is going to be a great occasion, because it is a few years since we have played them. We are looking forward to it.”