GAWNE WITH THE WINNER FOR SKY BLUES
Ballymena United claimed a first home win of the season and climbed off the foot of the table with victory over derby rivals Coleraine at The Showgrounds.
Coleraine enjoyed the better opportunities during the opening exchanges with Jamie Glackin missing a gilt edged opportunity after some carelessness in the home midfield, but he could only send his effort wide of the far post.
But the visitors were dealt a blow just after the half-hour mark when striker Matthew Shevlin was sent-off following a late challenge on keeper Sean O'Neill.
Ballymena made their extra man count a couple of minutes into the second half after Isaac Westendorf and Fraser Taylor combined to release teenager Noah Stewart to send a low finish past Gareth Deane.
Then, seven minutes after that, Stewart struck again when he turned the loose ball into the bottom corner after Taylor's initial effort had been blocked.
Coleraine pulled one back just after the hour. Referee Lee Tavinder had adjudged that Scot Whiteside had brought down Glackin on the edge of the area with Josh Carson stepping up to convert the subsequent spot-kick.
But, at the end of what was a nervy finish to the game, Alex Gawne popped up in stoppage time to rifle the all important third for the Sky Blues into the roof of the net from Donal Rocks' cross.
Ballymena United: O'Neill, Nelson, Whiteside, McCullough, Taylor, McGrory, Tennant, Boyle, Place, Stewart, Westendorf subs Johnston, Rocks, Gawne, Waide, McGuigan, O'Boyle, Murray
Coleraine: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, Kelly, McKendry, Shevlin, Carson, Farren, Lynch, Glackin, Scott subs Gallagher, A. Jarvis, McDaid, O'Mahony, Mitchell, Wallace, McLaughlin
Substitution 
Substitution 
