Despite a second successive innings of 80 by Brian Baguley and a good contribution from Indrajeet Kamtekar on debut, Muckamore lost the opening match of the Section Two campaign by four runs.

Armagh, one of the teams expected to struggle for survival this season, posted 193 and Muckamore, after reaching 100 with only two wickets down, were bowled out for 189.

Allen, the only other batsman to to pass 20, is trying to "lift" his players this week ahead of the Challenge Cup meeting with Carrickfergus on Saturday. Muckamore travel to Middle Road as underdogs, but their skipper believes they are capable of causing an upset.

Carrick have made a decent start in the Premier League, beating Cliftonville by seven wickets on the opening day of the season before being edged out by one wicket by Derriaghy at Queensway on Bank Holiday Monday.

While it would be nice to overcame the East Antrim team and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the cup, the league is Muckamore's priority, and after losing to Armagh Allen's men can ill-afford another slip-up when they travel to newly-promoted Dundrum on Sunday - a match that was rained off on the first day of the season.

Kamtekar, who is ineligible for the cup tie, will return to the side at Dundrum. The former Dunmurry professional's probable replacement for the Carrick game is Michael Kennedy.

Gary Robinson has returned to Armagh following a number of years in England and he looked a competent performer as he batted through the innings for an unbeaten 82. Allen wasn't happy with his team's bowling, saying they bowled "too many four-balls."

Allen was the most successful bowler, snapping up three wickets. Trevor Neill made the first breakthrough at 64 and struck again one run later, but his five overs cost 30. And South African leg-spinner was pulled out of the attack after bowling five overs for 20. Davy Cardwell was typically economical, posting figures of one-for-22 in his 10 overs.

Following the early loss of Brian Dunlop, Baguley and Kamtekar put on 78 for the second wicket before the Moylena newcomer was caught for 43, compiled off 63 balls, with seven fours.

Baguley's impressive early-season form is a big plus for his side and while he was at the crease Muckamore were favourites to win. Jason Van Der Merwe, Richard Keates and Marshall fell cheaply, but the home team were on course for victory while Baguley and Allen featured in a stand of 39. However, when the opener had made 80 off 124 balls, with 15 fours and one six., he was stumped, the second of four victims for Whitcroft. Allen and Neil Gill were dismissed at 171, and though Neill and Cardwell made 12 together for the ninth wicket, Muckamore were an agonising five runs short of victory when Neill was run out off the penultimate ball of the 50th over.