BALLYMENA United notched a morale-boosting 2-1 pre-season victory over Scottish visitors Airdrie United at the Showgrounds this afternoon.

Goals from Kevin Kelbie and Andrew Rosbotham had put the Sky Blues into a commanding position before a last minute goal from Steven McDougall gave the scoreline a more respectable look for the Scottish first division outfit.

United manager Tommy Wright said: "We're pleased with our pre-season so far but no-one is going to get carried away - I've never known points to be awarded or trophies to be handed out before the start of August.

"But we've played three Scottish teams, two of them full-time, and remained unbeaten and I'm delighted with the way things are going at present.

"Today was a difficult game and we had to do some desperate defending at times but we were strong in attack and Kevin Kelbie and Paul Brown once again combined for a really good goal and that partnership seems to be flourishing," added Tommy.

That goal came on 16 minutes when keeper Paul Murphy's long clearance was flicked on by Brown into the path of Kelbie and the Scottish striker took a confident touch before slipping the ball past keeper Lee Hollis.

The same pair combined again two minutes later when Brown's cross from the right was met by a stinging volley from Kelbie which Hollis did well to turn around the post and the keeper was also struggling with a cross-cum-shot from full-back Aaron Callaghan which came off the top of the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

United extended their advantage on 59 minutes when Andrew Rosbotham hit a trademark 30-yard drive which beat Hollis low down before United were instructed to substitute Aidan Watson after a flare-up with Airdrie's Stuart Taylor, who also went off.

Airdrie came back into the game with William McLaren's header hacked off the line by Gordon Simms while McLaren was also denied by the outstretched boot of Murphy after latching onto Darren Fitzgerald's misplaced pass.

The visitors pulled a fine goal back in the closing minutes when McDougall strode forward before unleasing a 25-yard drive which flew past Murphy but there was never any danger of United relinquishing their lead.

Ballymena United: Murphy, Callaghan, McClean (sub Boyd 79), Patrick (sub McConaghie 83), Albert Watson (sub Simms 46), Haveron, Picking (sub Melly 65), Aidan Watson (sub Scates 55), Brown (sub Fitzgerald 72), Kelbie, Rosbotham (sub Friel 70). Sub (not used): Addis.

Airdrie United: Hollis, Smyth, McGowan, McKenna (sub Lovering 46), Tierney (sub Christie 46), Holmes, McDougall, Taylor (sub Watson 55), Prunty, McPhee (sub Twigg 60), McLaren. Subs (not used): Robertson, Rennie.

Referee: John McKnight (Ballyclare).