UNITED's reserves maintained their unbeaten start to their Carnegie Reserve League campaign, but made hard work of it.

The visiting Crusaders side raced into a 2-0 lead early on against a very young an inexperienced Ballymena side.

Minutes after Crusaders had scored their second goal; United reduced the deficit when Darren Fitzgerald (pictured) showed great feet on the edge of the area and finished brilliantly with a right foot strike on 25 minutes.

United now had now found there spark and when Fitzgerald was fouled in the area after 32 minutes, the diminutive striker got up and struck his penalty firm past Aaron Hogg to bring the match level.

United came out fighting in the second half and the great determination and spirit the young Sky Blues showed was rewarded when just before the hour. A Lee Colligan cross was headed in by Fitzgerald to give the striker his hat-trick and cap off a remarkable comeback and a great win.

*Note: Ballymena United Reserves have been drawn at home to Dunaghy in the first round of the WKD Intermediate Cup to be played on the 3rd November, 2007.

Ballymena United Reserves: Ryan Martin, Aaron Holland, Aaron Stewart, Nigel Boyd, Paul McNeill, Ryan Deans, George Young (sub Michael McNeill 83), Liam Mullan, Lee Colligan, Darren Fitzgerald, Jimmy Crawford (sub Daryl Brammeld 75). Sub (not used): David McBride.