United squeeze past Ballymoney on penalties

United boss Glenn Ferguson made eight changes from the side which beat Dungannon on Saturday, with reserve team captain Eoin Gillan given his full debut.

The visitors grabbed the lead in the 13th minute when Stuart Addis brought down Eoin Bradley in the penalty area.

The keeper somehow escaped with only a yellow card but Bradley picked himself up to tuck home the resultant spot kick.

Ballymena began to forge their way back into the match and Gary Liggett headed against the underside of the crossbar from Tony Kane’s right wing cross.

A number of other chances came and went as United’s frustration continued to grow, with David Munster’s downward header from a Duffin corner bouncing off the ground and over the bar.

It was from another Duffin corner on 68 minutes that Ballymena got back on level terms as skipper Aaron Stewart headed powerfully home at the back post.

Ballymoney continued to look dangerous on the break with left-back Declan McGarry firing just wide of the back post after an adventurous run and the Championship side finished strongly as the tie went to extra-time.

Ballymoney moved back in front seven minutes into the first period when Bradley collected a through ball from Diarmuid Larkin, stepped inside the challenge of Michael Ruddy and calmly slipped the ball past Addis.

Two minutes into the second period of extra time, United drew level as Tony Kane found the top corner with a pinpoint free kick from the edge of the penalty area to take the tie to penalties.

In the shootout, Ballymena held their nerve to convert all five penalties through Ruddy, Thompson, Kane, Lowry and Stewart, while Stuart Addis kept out Eoin Bradley’s effort.

Ballymena United: Addis, T Kane, Ruddy, E Gillan (sub Millar 46), Munster, Stewart, Thompson, Taggart, Liggett, Lowry, Duffin (sub McCullagh 86). Subs (not used): E Kane, Graham, Nelson.

Ballymoney United: Moore, McFerran (sub Craig 68), Boyle, McGarry (sub Dempsey 74), G Gillan, M Gillan, McClelland (sub Dooey 68), O’Kane, Larkin, Bradley, McCaughan. Subs (not used): McAuley.

Referee: E Ferguson (Coleraine).