Ballymena United 2, Dungannon Swifts 1

Goals from Allan Jenkins and Shane Dolan gave the Sky Blues their first Showgrounds victory over the Tyrone side since 2007.

They even had the luxury of missing a second half penalty before claiming three points to follow up from last week’s win at Crusaders.

United went in front on 15 minutes when Alan Teggart’s left wing corner was powerfully headed home by Allan Jenkins - the Scottish skipper’s first goal since last September.

Goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson had to be alert to prevent Swifts from replying within 60 seconds when he dived to his left to palm away Ryan Harpur’s drive and then reacted quickly to block Darren Boyce’s follow-up effort.

Early in the second half Shane Dolan was unlucky to see his curling effort from inside the penalty area come back off the crossbar.

And there was further disappointment for the home side as Dungannon levelled on 62 minutes.

It was a totally avoidable goal as Dwayne Nelson’s scuffed clearance eventually led to a handball by Mark McCullagh on the edge of the penalty area and Darren Boyce drove the resultant free kick under the Ballymena defensive wall as it jumped and Nelson, despite getting a hand to the ball, couldn’t keep it out.

But United were back in front within 60 seconds as Gary Thompson, at the back post in a goalmouth scramble, hooked the back back across goal for Dolan to volley home from close range.

Ballymena were handed a golden opportunity to go 3-1 ahead on 68 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Teggart was brought down by keeper Gareth Buchanan, who was booked.

With regular penalty taker Teggart receiving treatment on the sidelines, the duties fell to Alan Davidson but the man who scored the winning penalty in last season’s County Antrim Shield final, blasted his effort against the crossbar.

It didn’t prove costly, however, as United held on to record a rare three points against Dungannon.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Kane, McCullagh, Taylor, McBride, Thompson, Davidson, Jenkins, Teggart (sub Ruddy 89), Dolan (sub Liggett 81), Lowry (sub Gawley 46). Subs (not used): Stewart, Surgenor.

Dungannon Swifts: Buchanan, McKerr, Grieve, Brennan, McMinn (sub Fitzpatrick 60), Harpur, Hutchinson, McCullough, Boyce, Costello (sub Douglas 81), C Lavery (sub Glackin 58). Subs (not used): S Lavery, Mulgrew.

Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon).

See Tuesday’s Ballymena Times for reaction and analysis.