BALLYMENA United Reserves produced a major shock in the Steel and Sons Cup, defeating First Division Carrick Rangers on penalties.

However it didn't start well for the Sky Blues as they went in at the break a goal down to the hosts, as former Ballymena United player crossed for Chris Wilkinson to head home, with the Sky Blue defence static.

The Braidmen did have their own chances in the first half as both Randal Reid and David Cushley went close late in the half.

United came out well in the second half in search of the equaliser - which finally came in the 76th minute when a terrific Gary Baird cross was headed home by the impressive Gavin Melaugh.

United now had their tails up and took a deserved lead just 3 minutes later thanks to Stephen Lowry (pictured) superb volley just inside the area.

However, with five minutes left, Carrick found an equaliser to send the game into extra time. James Costello provided the low ball in from the left for Neil Corr to tap in to the open net.

Ballymena United Reserves had to play the extra time period with only ten men, as Dundalk striker Paudie Hearty failed to show up at Taylors Avenue, and was named as one of the substitutes. This proved a problem when goalscorer Lowry was forced off.

Carrick took the game to the visitors during the extra-time period, but Ballymena held out for penalties.

Carrick had two chances to win the shootout but Sean O'Neill rescued his side twice in sudden death, and when Melaugh scored Uniteds fifth, United hero O'Neill saved his third in a row to que wild scenes of celebration and send the Reserves into the next round.

Carrick Rangers: Alex Spackman, Mark Watson, James Braniff, Andy Phillips, Michael McAlinden, Glen Taggart, Pedro Delgado (sub Jonathan Gilland), Darren McNamee (sub Chris Towell), Chris Wilkinson, Neil Corr, Peter Marks (sub James Costello).

Ballymena United Reserves: Sean O'Neill, Andrew Long (sub Daley Carnduff 73), Tommy Wray, Johnny Flynn, Aaron Stewart, Stephen Lowry, Gavin Melaugh, Lee Patrick, David Cushley (sub Gary Baird 70), Paul McNeill, Randal Reid.