UNITED MAINTAIN GOOD LEAGUE FORM
Ballymena United made it four wins out of five league outings with victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
The Swifts crafted the first effort of note early on when Cahal McGinty nodded just wide of the target.
Ballymena edged in front midway through the first half in slightly fortuitous circumstances when Kenneth Kane's cross from the right bypassed everyone - including keeper Michael Quinn - before ending up in the bottom corner somewhat against the run of play.
Dungannon might have levelled later in the half when, from Ryan Mayse's corner, Shane McGinty dummied the ball into Darragh McBrien's path only for his effort to dragged wide.
McBrien threatened again early in the second half when he raced the length of the pitch and was found by Ben Gallagher but his subsequent shot was deflected over.
Dean Shiels' side came close again soon after from another Mayse delivery but Oisin Smyth's shot was blocked on the line before being cleared.
However, Ballymena did well to protect their advantage and might have added to it when Brendan Barr nodded over from Ross Redman's corner while Andrew McGrory curled a free-kick wide.
And David Jeffrey's charges made sure in stoppage time when Paul McElroy broke on the counter attack after being sent clear by David Parkhouse to slot into an empty net after Quinn had come forward for a corner.
Dungannon Swifts: Quinn, Coyle, Cowan, Knowles, Mayse, Oisin Smyth, Gallagher, C. McGinty, S. McGinty, McBrien, Glenny subs Groogan (not used), McAleer (replaced Mayse 77), Campbell (replaced Knowles 68), McGee (replaced Coyle 77), Odhran Smyth (not used), Convie (replaced Glenny 81), O'Kane (not used)
Ballymena United: Williamson, Redman, Wilson, McElroy, McCullough, Kane, Henderson, Barr, McGrory, Keeley, Millar subs Johnston (not used), Chapman (not used), Waide (not used), Bramall (not used), Parkhouse (replaced Henderson 65), Graham (not used), Smith (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
