Loughgall manager Dean Smith has said battling in the lower reaches of the Irish Premiership is a challenge the club was expecting at some stage but he hadn't counted on things being quite so difficult in the current campaign.

The Villagers finished ninth last season following their promotion to the top division and started this term satisfactorily by collecting four points from their opening two games.

Smith's side have managed only one further point from their subsequent 10 league outings and have lost their last seven on the bounce, as well as exiting the BetMcLean Cup at the hands of Armagh City.

"It's a different challenge but it's a challenge we probably knew was coming at some stage so us as a group are well prepared for it," said Smith.

"We knew it could be a tough season but it's probably one that we maybe didn't expect to be this tough.

"We obviously started ok and the last few games we haven't been getting the results that our performances have warranted sometimes.

"At the end of the day we know that we're a small village club and where we are in terms of finances."

Things don't get easier for the league's basement side as they aim to close the four-point gap to 11th-placed Carrick Rangers in the league standings.

Linfield are the visitors to Lakeview Park on Friday night in a match which will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

"They're a top team and for us, it's probably why we fought so hard to get into this league is to have teams like Linfield coming to Lakeview Park on a Friday night under lights with the BBC cameras there," said Smith.

"They have players all over the pitch that can hurt you at any time. We know we have to be at our very, very best."