Former Northern Ireland international, Dowie got a standing ovation from the Ballymena crowd as he emerged after his Coventry City side, for the last leg of their Northern Ireland tour.

It took only 13 minutes for the English sky blues to take the lead, after United failed to cope with their Championship opponents. Kevin Kyle split the home defence and allowed Maltese international - Michael Mifsud the chance to round Paul Murphy and slot home the opening goal.

Ballymena remained under constant pressure for the whole of the second half, as Ballymena 'keeper Murphy, was called into action twice to prevent Scotland international, Kevin Kyle.

The Braidmen had their best spell of football midway through the first half, as they played Coventry at their own short passing game to great effect as Darren Fitzgerald failed to put the finishing touch to some great build up play, with Andy Marshall dominating his penalty area.

With half-time on the blow, Coventry struck a deserved second goal which a killer blow for United. Julian Gray, recently signed from Birmingham City, floated a dangerous cross in from the left which was headed home by Michael Doyle.

Dowie's side continued their relentless charge and after 50 minutes they where three goals to the good, Julian Gray this time played a one-two with Misfud and fired a low shot across Murphy, leaving the Dundalk custodian helpless.

It was Gray again, five minutes later who scored his second goal to give Coventry a fourth as Ballymena were beginning to visibly tire and crumble. Larne-born Michael Hughes found Gray on the edge of the box and the winger curled the ball into the back of the net.

The 62nd minute seen Coventry, playing in their red away strip due to the colour clash, score their fifth goal when Thornton played through substitute Dele Adebola, who out muscled Aaron Callaghan and fired home for yet another goal for the visitors.

With twenty minutes remaining, Dowie withdrew former Northern Ireland captain Michael Hughes, to a standing ovation. Hughes was making his Coventry debut today, after first appearing at the Showgrounds 20 years ago for St. Louis Grammar School.

With four minutes remaining, the humilation was complete when Robbie Simpson's long range effort deflected off United defender, Aaron Callaghan and left United's substitute goalkeeper stranded as he watched the ball fly over his head for City's number six.

Speaking to the Sunday Life, Coventry boss Iain Dowie was delighted with the win "I thought we played very well, Tommy's got a good side here and we got goals from midfield, something we've worked on all pre-season".

United will try to bounce back in their next pre-season game away to Tobermore United on Tuesday night.

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