BALLYMENA United Reserves maintained their return to form with a fantastic four goal win against Cliftonville Olympic.

The meeting at the Ballymena Showgrounds was a clash between the two sides that fought to the end of last season's race for the Reserve championship - however, Cliftonville's second string have struggled to find form all season.

A strong wind caused havoc in the first half, as Ballymena failed to take their natural advantage playing into the gust - relying mainly on set pieces.

The Sky Blues took the lead in the 28th minute, when Gary Baird pulled the ball back across the touch line and Stephen Lowry was on hand to strike low and hard past the visiting goalkeeper.

United got an important second goal just before the interval, as Lee Colligan got on the end of Randal Reid's flick on and beat the goalkeeper to the ball, but was hauled down by the custodian and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.

For the second time in two weeks Colligan won a penalty for the Reserves, and Gareth McConaghie stepped up to fire the home side into a 2-0 lead on 38 minutes.

Ballymena didn't slow the pace down in the second half and on 59 minutes, the reigning League champions struck the goal of the game.

Gary Baird played the brilliant Stephen Lowry through and the Limavady midfielder beat three or four players with great feet before placing an outstanding strike into the back of the net for number three.

There was time for a fourth when Paul McNeill struck the final goal on 73 minutes.

The Ballymena based striker, who has tasted first-team football this year, raced onto a McConaghie pass and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home into the empty goal.

Ballymena United Reserves: Keith Wilson, Gareth McConaghie, Chris Getty, Reece Moore, Nigel Boyd, Gary Baird (sub Daryl Hanna 74), Aidan Watson, Stephen Lowry, Aaron Holland (sub Paul McNeill 66), Lee Colligan (sub David Dixon 78), Randal Reid.