Ballymena United 1, Linfield 2

The Sky Blues were undone by a strong second half performance by the title-chasing Windsor Park side, in a game which hinged on the dismissal of United’s Tony Kane early in the second period.

Ballymena made a blistering start against the league leaders with Allan Jenkins and Darren Boyce firing early efforts just off target.

The Sky Blues were denied an opening goal on 10 minutes by an outstanding save from Blues keeper Jonny Tuffey.

The move started down the left hand side and when left-back Aaron Stewart fired in a superb low cross, Darren Boyce met it on the half-volley and it appeared to be a certain goal until former Partick Thistle keeper Tuffey produced an outstanding reflex stop at point-blank range.

Tony Kane fired another effort wide before the same player clipped an excellent ball into the path of Boyce and only a heavy touch prevented the in-form striker from having a clear run on goal as the ball bounced through to Tuffey.

Linfield’s play lacked fluidity in the opening stages but they came close to scoring in their first meaningful attack on 25 minutes .

Aaron Burns started the attack with a strong run from inside his own half before passing to Ivan Sproule but as the former Northern Ireland international squared to Andy Waterworth for a virtual tap-in but alert defender Davy Munster had tracked back to clear for a corner.

Buoyed by this, Linfield launched another attack with Philip Lowry making space for himself but United keeper Yohann Lacroix had closed down the angle to block the midfielder’s shot.

Then from another Linfield attack on the right, Billy Joe Burns’ cross was flicked onto the top of the net by Michael Carvill.

As Linfield continued their good spell, full-back N iall Quinn saw his free kick turned around the post by Lacroix, while the Blues had appeals for a penalty waved away when Johnny Taylor tangled with Waterworth.

Lowry then slid a shot wide of Lacroix’s far post after a neat one-two with Aaron Burns as it looked as though the visitors would finish the first half in the ascendancy.

Instead they were hit with a sucker punch in the final minute of the half.

David Cushley slid in to dispossess BJ Burns deep in Linfield territory and the ball ran through to Jenkins. He tried to slip the ball under Tuffey but it ricocheted off the keeper’s body back to the edge of the area.

There, it was picked up by Ally Teggart who cut inside onto his less favoured right foot and he fired home a thunderbolt, via a slight deflection.

United were dealt a blow five minutes into the second half when Tony Kane was sent off for a second bookable offence, a challenge on the touchline close to the Linfield dugout.

And the Blues made their numerical advantage count on 62 minutes. Andy Waterworth burst past Davy Munster on the right flank and from his cross, Philip Lowry’s downward header squeezed into the net, despite Lacroix getting a hand to it.

And the Blues moved in front on 68 minutes when Michael Gault’s free kick from the edge of the penalty box was charged down by the United wall but only as far as Jamie Mulgrew who rifled home a shot from the edge of the ‘D’.

The Blues came close to extending their lead with 10 minutes left when defender Mark Haughey headed over from a Quinn free kick, while Billy Joe Burns had a shot beaten away by Lacroix.

United thought they had forced an equaliser in stoppage time after CUshley squezed the ball past Tuffey but Sean Ward was on hand to clear the danger.

Ballymena United: Lacroix, Ervin, Munster (sub McCullagh 72), Taylor, Stewart, Kane, Jenkins, Thompson (sub Surgenor 84), Cushley, Boyce, Teggart (sub Ruddy 72). Subs (not used): Davidson, McLellan.

Linfield: Tuffey, BJ Burns, Haughey, Ward, Quinn, Gault, Lowry, A Burns (sub Tipton 71), Waterworth, Carvill (sub Mulgrew 46), Sproule. Referee: McVey, M Clarke, R Clarke,

Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast).