BALLYMENA United's three main strikers were all on target as the Sky Blues rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win at Raceview on Monday night.

Paul Brown, Darren Fitzgerald and Kevin Kelbie all netted in a victory which was more comfortable then the scoreline suggests against their plucky Broughshane opponents.

"It was good for the strikers to get on the scoresheet and all in all, it was a useful workout for us," said manager Tommy Wright.

The manager used the match to try a different formation, opting for three centre-backs with full-backs Aaron Callaghan and Craig McClean encouraged to get forward at every opportunity.

United took the lead on 26 minutes through a fine individual goal from Paul Brown. The big striker received the ball at his feet and neatly side-stepped a couple of challenges before firing a rasping left-footed drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 41 minutes when a marauding run from Callaghan on the right flank concluded with the full-back sending in a bullet cross which was headed home from close range by Fitzgerald.

Ballymena rang the changes at half-time making nine switches but it was Raceview who pulled a goal back on 63 minutes when Mark Surgenor - who had twice earlier been denied by Stuart Addis - fired home in a goalmouth scramble after a corner had not been cleared.

United continued to create chances with David Gage and Keith Armstrong both hitting the woodwork while Kevin Kelbie missed two glorious chances from close-range.

But unsurprisingly, the Scottish striker had the final say in stoppage time when he converted Armstrong's low cross from the right.

Raceview: Kerr, Forsyth, Redmond, Hunter, Adams, Millar, Hume, Ritchie, R Paul, Surgenor, McBurney. Subs: Hogarty, Montgomery, K Paul, D Paul, McClean, Robinson, Cairns.

Ballymena United: Addis, Callaghan (sub Phillips 46), McClean (sub Boyd 46), Haveron (sub Gage 46), Albert Watson (sub Aidan Watson 46), Simms, Picking (sub Armstrong 46), Melly (sub Kane 46), Brown (sub Kelbie 46), Fitzgerald (sub Friel 46), Scates, (sub Rosbotham 46).

Referee: Neil Stewart (Kells).