Ballymena United 1, Donegal Celtic 0

Ballymena United striker Michael McLellan attempts to get past Donegal Celtic goalkeeper Brian McGurk during the County Antrim Shield quarter-final. Picture: Press Eye.

David Cushley’s first half header proved the difference between the sides as the Sky Blues passed the opening hurdle in their defence of the trophy they won last season.

Manager Glenn Ferguson, perhaps, mindful of United’s struggle against lower division opposition in Ballymoney United in the League Cup, fielded a strong side, packed with senior experience.

The Championship side weren’t overawed in the opening stages with firstly Pearse Devine screwing a shot wide before Emmett Templeton’s low shot was saved by Dwayne Nelson.

At the other end, from a quickly-taken free kick, Alan Teggart’s low cross was scooped over the bar by the well-placed Allan Jenkins.

After a spluttering opening half hour, United made the breakthrough on 36 minutes. From a corner, the ball was worked back to Aaron Stewart, whose hanging cross was headed home via the underside of the bar, by Cushley.

Ballymena had an opportunity to double their advantage just after the hour when Michael McClellan dragged a shot wide from the right hand side of the penalty area.

DC still looked dangerous with former United midfielder Conor Downey forcing Nelson into a save with a shot from the edge of the box.

The west Belfast side came close to levelling when Pearse Devine’s diving header from eight yards when narrowly wide after Warwick’s deep cross had been headed back across goal.

And with United living on their nerves, Nelson had to produce a brilliant save to tip Warwick’s volley over the crossbar.

At the other end, Jenkins released sub Gary Liggett who cut inside a defender but his left foot shot was beaten away by McGurk.

The keeper also did brilliantly to beat out a close-range Liggett volley from Alan Teggart’s cross in the closing stages.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Kane, Munster (sub Taggart 77), McCullagh, McBride, Stewart, Jenkins, Cushley (sub Davidson 60), Teggart, Dolan, McLellan (sub Liggett 73). Subs (not used): Surgenor, Lowry.

Donegal Celtic: McGurk, Rossborough, Wallace, M Burns, C Burns (sub Todd 87), Downey (sub Glenholmes 84), Warwick, Devine, Kelly, Templeton, Hughes. Subs (not used): Slane, Shannon, Moore.

Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus).