Coleraine 3, Ballymena United 1

United had defender Chris Ramsey given a straight red card for a first half tackle on Rory Patterson while midfielder Noel Anderson was dismissed in the second period for two bookings, the second of which came after Antrim official Black adjudged that the player had 'dived'

"Noel Anderson has two stud marks on his thigh from where he was fouled when clean through yet the referee has booked him for simulation – how do you simulate stud marks? Do you draw them on? I thought when the card came up it was their man who was going off.

"The Chris Ramsey tackle was rash but not red.

"I would urge referees, please give people the benefit of the doubt. You have no right of appeal, no right of anything – it's a scandal. The referee made two errors that were catastrophic."

"I was proud of the players On football, it wasn't a game we deserved to lose," added Walker.

Coleraine took the lead in 72 seconds when United keeper Sean O'Neill failed to gather a Rory Patterson through pass on the edge of the penalty area, leaving Darren Boyce to steer the loose ball into an unguarded net.

United had full-back Lee Colligan stretchered off before Ramsey was red-carded on 31 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Patterson but Black's decision to produce a straight red card was a shock.

Despite that, United battled back and levelled on the hour when Albert Watson's ball out of defence was cleverly flicked on by Anderson into the path of David Cushley, who beat Davy O'Hare with a clinical first time finish.

Anderson, who had been booked for dissent on 62 minutes, was then sent off 11 minutes later. Although he appeared to be fouled by Kyle McVey, who himself was on a yellow card, Black decided that the Ballymena player had 'dived' and dismissed him.

At 9 v 11, Ballymena were always under the cosh and late goals from Stephen Carson and Stephen Dooley saw the Bannsiders claim victory.

After the third goal, two bottles were thrown towards O'Hare from the end where Ballymena supporters were housed – a situation which is sure to have expensive consequences for the Showgrounds club.

Ballymena United: O'Neill, Smith, Colligan (sub Cusley 30), Haveron, Watson, Ramsey, Stewart, Carson (sub McNeill 80), Surgenor, Kelbie (sub McCaughern 85), Anderson. Subs (not used): Nelson, Taggart.