Taylor goal takes Sky Blues into last eight in League Cup

Johnny Taylor’s first goal of the season condemned the Roesiders to their first defeat in any competition this season.

Paul Owens’ Championship Two outfit put up a decent showing against their Premiership opponents but were undone by Taylor’s effort on the half-hour mark

Limavady keeper Ray Kelly misjudged Mark Magennis’ delivery from a free kick and the central defender had a free header at the back post to break the deadlock.

The north west side frustrated Ballymena and Glenn Ferguson’s side were indebted to substitute defender Paddy McNally whose headed clearance from virtually on the goal-line denied Cathair Friel an equaliser with 20 minutes left.

Gavin Taggart went close with a rising drive for Ballymena, while Darren Henderson spurned a late chance to double United’s advantage but the single goal was enough to take last season’s runners-up into the last eight.

Limavady United: Kelly, Devlin, McIvor, McClelland, Carlin, Logue, Owens, Tommons, McMullan, Friel, Harkin. Subs: Duffy, Morrison, Jennings, O’Hara.

Ballymena United: Nelson, McVey, Taylor, Rodger, Ervin, Thompson, Jenkins, Magennis, Taggart, Cushley, Henderson. Subs: McNally, Faulkner, E Kane, Shevlin, Gawley.

Referee: John Deighan (Limavady).