Roy Walker included former Blackburn Rovers and Cliftonville defender Tony Kane (pictured) in his starting eleven and Aaron Black made his first United appearance since his summer move from Coleraine.

The home side who were relegated to Championship 2 last season didn’t look overawed by their opponents and had a glut of early chances, causing Dwayne Nelson and his defence a number of problems.

United took the lead against the run of play on 31 minutes after captain Aaron Stewart had been impeded and the Sky Blues were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Trialist Tony Kane stepped up and bent a tremendous free-kick around the wall and into the top corner giving the home goalkeeper no chance.

The second half turned out to be a more one-sided affair which started in the 52nd minute when substitute James Costello made space to fire home after good work from Alan Teggart, this was the former Glenavon forward’s fourth goal of pre-season.

With 64 minutes gone, Ballymena increased their lead further when two more substitutes combined for a rather fortuitous goal. Chris Rodgers’ speculative long range drive took a wicked deflection from the outstretched leg of Jordan Baker and the former Portadown’s striker’s ‘effort’ looped over the stranded goalkeeper.

With eight minutes remaining Michael Smith outpaced the Comrades’ full-back and coolly rounded the onrushing goalkeeper before tapping home from close range for the Braidmen’s fourth.

The game was wrapped up with virtually the last play of the game when Alan Teggart’s deep corner was headed home by Denver Gage.

Ballymena United continue their preseason campaign on Saturday with a trip to face the PSNI at Newforge with a 3pm kick-off.