UNITED captain Gary Haveron returned to action last night as United Reserves defeated Coleraine Reserves at the Showgrounds.

It was the midfielder's first game back since breaking his leg against his former club, Coleraine, back in August. Haveron, who has suffered two broken legs in the past 12 months, played the full first half for Colin Sewell's second string side.

United fielded a very strong reserve side which also included Paul Muir, Aidan Watson, Sean O'Neill and David Cushley and dominated the first half with a three goal blitz in a fifteen minute spell.

David Cushley opened the scoring with 20 minutes gone when he broke free from the static visiting defence and slipped the ball under the goalkeeper. Eight minutes later Paul McNeill popped up at the back post with a low diving header to double his side's lead.

Cushley added a third goal with his second strike of the evening, when he drilled a stinging low drive from outside the penalty area which decieved visiting goalkeeper Lawrence McCormick.

Coleraine Reserves pulled a goal back ten minutes into the second half but within two minutes Ballymena restored their three goal advantage when Aaron Lemon tucked away a penalty after substitute Jordan Kenny was upended in the box.

This result sends Colin Sewell's side into second place in the Reserve League standings following their sixth straight victory.

Ballymena United Reserves: Sean O'Neill, Mark Surgenor, Aaron Lemon, Gary Haveron (sub Jordan Kenny 46), Dermot McVeigh, Paul Muir (sub William Holland 46), George Stewart, Aidan Watson, James McLaughlin, Paul McNeill (sub Lee McCaughren 61), David Cushley.