Spirited final performance at Showgrounds

The visitors threatened to spring a surprise by levelling the scores after being two goals behind.

The Roesiders however, are made of sterner stuff and came back to win 4-2 and keep their theoretical chance of winning the title alive.

United had made a blistering start, with two goals in the opening nine minutes of the game.

Teenager Shane Jennings put the home side in front with a free header from a fine cross from the left which he powered over the visiting keeper after just seventy five seconds.

Seven minutes later his strike partner, Davy Patton, added a second, with a clever shot on the turn from inside the box, following good work from Michael Walsh driving into the box, and from Jennings who hooked the ball back for the former Coleraine striker.

United sensed a big victory, and more importantly the chance to reduce the goal difference advantage that Donegal Celtic had over them.

Jennings had a shot deflected wide and Patton had another chance in the box when the ball got caught under his feet when he only had the keeper to beat from point blank range.

The Comrades were not out of the contest however, although there was a bit of luck in the goal which brought them back into the game on eighteen minutes.

Stuart Galbraith was on hand to fire a low drive past Michael Doherty after a quick break.

Just two minutes later the visitors came close again when a cross from the right was deflected past Doherty's left post.

Limavady hit back and really should have restored their advantage from a Walsh cross that Patton got to first, and his diving header was tipped round the post.

Paul Owens then ran into the box and his curling shot went disappointingly well over the bar. He then had a free kick from 25 yards that went wide of the post.

Peter Spratt was the next to have a go at but although his shot that took a wicked deflection which completely wrong footed Huxley the ball went narrowly wide.

United had a strong shout for handball in the box was ignored by referee Eddie Ferguson, and then the half came to end with a hanging cross from Jennings that was flicked off Patton's head as he waited to pounce.

After such dominance in the first half, United were stunned when Comrades substitute Ronnie Burns forced the ball in from point blank range when a deflected cross deceived Doherty.

The visitors were now looking for an unlikely win, and pushed forward to the extent that they looked the more probable scorers.

Roesiders boss Oran Kearney responded by a double substitution on the hour, withdrawing Jennings and Walsh and putting on Neill and McNutt to stiffen the defence.

Within a minute the lead had been restored, when the fleet-footed Trevor Hutchinson was quickest to react to a loose ball and head home.

This seemed to knock the heart out of Ballyclare as they retreated in the face of more United attacks.

A Owens free-kick fell to Gareth McConaghie in the box and with his back to the goal he hooked the ball over the bar.

On 79 minutes Hutchinson put the game beyond doubt, when he got on the end of the best move of the match. Owens went on a run and worked the ball to Patton; He picked out Hutchinson who was through one on one with the goalkeeper, and he fired low into the corner.

Limavady United: Doherty, Walsh, Rodden, McConachie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, Jennings, Patton, Hutchinson

Subs: Neill & McNutt for Walsh & Jennings (60mins), Kelly for Patton (80mins), Clarke (Unused).

Ballyclare Comrades: Huxley, Rushe, Munster, McCullough, Long (Burns), Galbraith, McDowell, Forsythe, McClelland Officer, Simms

Subs: Burns for Long (50mins) McGrath, McWilliams, Bainbridge & Flood (Unused).

Referee: E Ferguson (Coleraine).