Mid-way through the half there was an innocuous event which could have a major bearing on Portadown's title chase when Curtis Woods' short back pass forced Wayne Drummond to come racing out and following a collision with Ports' leading goalscorer Matthew Tipton, the Welsh striker was forced off with what turned out to be a broken shoulder.

On 26 minutes, a comedy of errors led to the home side taking the lead; Davy Munster failed to see a routine ball out and Kevin Braniff stole possession down the left flank and played a tame cross across the United penalty area which wasn't cleared and wrong footed goalkeeper Wayne Drummond to sneak in at the far post.

Ronnie McFall's side dominated from the goal onwards and United failed to get to grips in the game.

Into the second half and Portadown doubled their lead after 66 minutes when good work from Wesley Boyle and Shane McCabe broke through the Ballymena defence and the latter fired past the helpless Drummond.

Walker introduced a trio of substitutes in the form of Murray, Surgenor and Boyd and piled forward in search of salvaging something from this game.

With 13 minutes remaining Curtis Woods' long throw was flicked on by Allan Jenkins and Gary McCutcheon pounced out of nothing to fire a well struck volley past his former club and set up a grandstand finish.

In the final minute of the game Eamonn Murray lofted in a cross which found captain Allan Jenkins at the back post and with the goal at his mercy, he headed just wide.