Ballinamallard Utd 1 Ballymena Utd 2 Ballinamallard were edged out in a close contest at Ferney Park today as they went down 2-1 to League Cup champions Ballymena United.

The Mallards had taken the lead through a stunning Shane McGinty effort after nine minutes but Ballymena levelled shortly after through Jonny McMurray.

And David Jeffrey's side sealed the win after the break when Conor McCloskey capitialised on a mistake by goalkeeper Richard Brush to slot home.

The Mallards started the game well with Ryan Mayse and Jason McCartney having early chances although it required a Colm McClaughlin clearance off the line to stop Allan Jenkins putting Ballymena ahead.

However, with nine minutes played the Mallards took the lead through a cracking McGinty strike. He exchanged passes with Ross Taheny before thumping to to the roof of the net from 25 yards to make it 1-0.

Ballymena though were back on level terms five minutes later as McMurray steered a low shot to the corner of the net beyond Brush.

Indeed, the visitors were denied a second as Stuart Hutchinson cleared off the line from Jim Irvin while at the other end Ballymena goalkeeper Ross Glendinning saved from McGinty while Irvin made a superb block on McCartney as he looked to tuck away the follow up as it remained 1-1 at the break.

However, Ballymena took control of matters after half time and on the hour mark they took the lead although it was a bad error from Brush.

The goalkeeper came out to clear the ball but failed to make contact and McCloskey was on hand to slot to the net.

Ballymena should have wrapped it up with ten minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty for a David Elliott handball but Brush made amends for his earlier mistake by getting down to save Cathair Friel's spot kick.

Ballinamallard did press for an equaliser late on but they could not find the net as Ballymena saw out the remainder of the game to secure the points.