The Sky Blues travelled to Belfast for a game which was part of the agreement from the transfer of Gavin Taggart last summer from Newington YC, Mark Surgenor returned to the side at full-back and Gary McCutcheon made the journey from Scotland after missing Saturday's game due to a wedding.

It was a sluggish first-half from the Premiership side, who found themselves against a well organised outfit, in the North Belfast side.

The best chance of the half fell to Aaron Stewart, when he broke clear and rattled the post with a stinging effort whilst Eamonn Murray could only scew the rebound wide.

A shock goal two minutes into the second period burst the game into life, as Newington took a surprise lead against their top-flight opponents.

Roy Walker's men drew level following a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area; the home goalkeeper could only parry Andy Smith's effort allowing substitute George Young to knock home from close range.

Young had only been on the field a matter of moments after replacing Albert Watson who suffered a nasty looking facial injury.

Ballymena had a prime chance to take the lead four minutes later, when Gary McCutcheon was fouled in the penalty area - however Andy Smith's tame penalty was saved, but was also deemed illegal by the referee as the former Northern Ireland striker paused between his run-up and strike of the ball.

The lively McCutcheon created another Ballymena opportunity on 64 minutes, when he fed a neat pass through to Eamonn Murray who calmly chipped the outrushing goalkeeper to put the visitors in the lead.

With seven minutes remaining the diminutive Scot set up the Braidmen's final goal of the evening, when he teed up Gavin Taggart who finished well against his former club.

United were made to sweat with a second Newington goal four minutes from time, but the Sky Blues held out for the victory.

Raceview will host the Sky Blues tomorrow evening at Broughshane in the club's penultimate pre-season game, then finishing with SPL side St. Mirren on Saturday at the Showgrounds.

Teams:

NEWINGTON YC	BALLYMENA UNITED
Team Unknown	1: BROWN, Ryan
	2: SURGENOR, Mark
	3: STEWART, Aaron
	4: BERRY, Ryan
	5: WATSON, Albert (c)
	6: GAGE, Denver
	7: McDOWELL, Maurice
	8: TAGGART, Gavin
	9: SMITH, Andy
	10: McCUTCHEON, Gary
	11: MURRAY, Eamonn
Substitutes	-
Substitutes Unknown	12: SMITH, Michael (II)
	Replaced Andy Smith (75 mins)
	14: YOUNG, George
	Replaced Albert Watson (52 mins)
	15: HAVERON, Gary
	Not Used
	16: BOYD, Matthew
	Replaced Maurice McDowell (75 mins)
Yellow Cards:	-
None	None
Red Cards:	-
None	None