BALLYMENA United Reserves stepped up their challenge for back-to-back Reserve League titles with a convincing win over Glentoran seconds at the Showgrounds.

The home side started brightly brightly and had the first chance of the game when Lee Patrick fired over the bar when Darren Fitzgerald's knock down had created the space.

However on five minutes the young Sky Blues took the lead when some poor Glentoran defending allowed leading scorer Randal Reid to rifle home the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Glentoran struck the equaliser six minutes later when a stunning long range effort, which had goalkeeper Keith Wilson well beaten, cannoned off the post - only for one of the opposition strikers to head home the rebound from close range.

The Belfast side started to come back into the game, but the table-topping Braidmen where always a threat; as Darren Fitzgerald spurned a good chance with 10 minutes of the half remaining, as he skied Gary Baird's cut-back.

However with the interval approaching the home side went back into the lead as Aidan Watson's drive from the edge of the box went through a crowded penalty area - and found it's way into the back of the net with Randal Reid claiming it.

His second of the game and fifteenth Reserve League goal of the season.

David Dorrian threw impact winger David Cushley on, as the game died a bit in the second half with neither side having much to show for their efforts.

It wasn't until the 78th minute when Darren Fitzgerald sealed the game for the Braidmen as he latched onto a superb Gary Baird through ball before rounding the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into the empty net.

Four minutes later Fitzgerald struck again as Gareth McConaghie's shot was blocked only as far as the former Glentoran striker, who knocked the ball home at the near post.

Glentoran scored a last minute consolation goal, but Ballymena United Reserves stay on course for a second league championship after yet another high scoring victory.

Ballymena United Reserves: Keith Wilson, Gareth McConaghie, Nigel Boyd (sub David Cushley 51), Aaron Stewart, Chris Getty (sub Chris Getty 66), Lee Patrick, Gary Baird, Aidan Watson (sub Aaron Holland 77), Randal Reid, Darren Fitzgerald, Lee Colligan. Sub (not used): Paul McNeill.