KANE BAGS LATE POINT FOR THE GLENS
A dramatic stoppage time equaliser ensured Glentoran and Ballymena United wrapped up the calendar year by sharing the spoils at the Showgrounds.
Glentoran skipper Marcus Kane popped up right at the end of the game to cancel out Ciaran Kelly's opener for the Sky Blues which looked to have earned the Sky Blues all three points.
Ballymena started marginally the brighter in what was a largely scrappy opening period with Leroy Millar and Trai Hume offering up half chances during the early exchanges.
As the first half progressed Glentoran looked the more likely to find a way through. Jay Donnelly saw a low effort saved by Jordan Williamson, who was also alert to deny Paul O'Neill from close range before thwarting Donnelly again moments from the break.
United could have opened the scoring early in the second half when Paul McElroy came close with a left foot effort but Glentoran keeper Dayle Coleing did well to deal with the threat.
Luke McCullough then came to Glentoran's rescue with a superb tackle to prevent Shay McCartan from opening the scoring.
However, the deadlock was eventually broken on 66 minutes in United's favour when Kelly headed into the bottom corner after the Glentoran defence failed to clear a Ross Redman ball into the area.
McCartan had a chance after that to double Ballymena's advantage but as the clocked ticked down Glentoran asserted increasing pressure and were eventually rewarded in the 91st minute when Kane unleashed a fierce right-foot drive beyond Jordan Williamson into the bottom corner.
Ballymena United: Williamson, Redman, Addis, Winchester, McElroy, McCartan, Balmer, Hume, Millar, C. Kelly, J. Kelly subs Glendinning (not used), T. Kane (not used), McKeown (not used), Harpur (not used), Waide (not used), Ervin (not used), McCready (not used)
Glentoran: Coleing, Kane, McCullough, Gallagher, O'Neill, McDaid, McClean, Crowe, Marron, Plum, J. Donnelly subs Bigirimana (not used), McDonagh (replaced Crowe 69), Gorman (not used), R. Donnelly (replaced O'Neill 69), Clucas (replaced Gallagher 77), Brown (not used), Cowan (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
