Ballinamallard's cup final hopes ended in heartbreak at Ferney Park tonight as Ballymena hit a late, late winner to set up a meeting with Cliftonville.

And Mallards manager Whitey Anderson was left annoyed by the awarding of the free kick that led to the late winner.

"It wasn't a foul, the boy took a dive and got the free kick and they scored," he said.

Anderson was delighted though with the efforts of his players. "The players were absolutely fantastic. I said if they came of the pitch having given it everything I couldn't complain and they gave everything they had."

The Mallards were excellent in the opening 30 minutes of the contest and having controlled matters they took the lead in the 20th minute as Ryan Campbell slotted the ball to the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The home side continued to dominate the contest and could have added to their advantage but the turning point in the encounter arrived right on the stroke of half time as Allan Jenkins tucked home after Mallards goalkeeper Stefan McCusker had denied Matthew Tipton.

Boosted by the goal, the visitors had their tails up at the start of the second half and they took the lead on the hour mark as Tipton fired home after the ball had pinged around the Mallards goal with McCusker saving twice before Tipton scored.

However, eight minutes later the sides were level again as Campbell bagged his second, producing a precise finish following a tidy build up.

The lively Liam Martin had the chance to put Ballinamallard ahead with six minutes to go but he hesitated and it allowed Stuart Addis in the Ballymena goal to get out and block his effort.

And four minutes later Glenn Ferguson's side swooped for the winner. The Mallards were furious with the awarding of the free kick against Stuart Hutchinson and Neal Gawley's delivery fell on to the toe of Davy Munster and he blasted to the back of the net to send the Mallards out.

SEE THURSDAY'S IMPARTIAL REPORTER FOR MORE REPORTS, REACTION AND ANALYSIS..