UNITED RESERVES' run in the WKD Intermediate Cup finally came to an end at the quarter-final stage yesterday after a nine-goal thriller against Dergview at the Showgrounds.

Facing a tough challenge against their high flying Championship 2 opponents, Colin Sewell's side took a surprising early lead after nine minutes when Ross Nelson was on hand to tap home after George Stewart's initial effort had been parried away by the visiting goalkeeper.

Captain Jordan Kenny doubled the lead on 28 minutes with with arguably the goal of the game, as he drilled a superb first time effort from 25-yards after Paul McNeill had cut the ball back from the right flank.

The Castlederg side came back into the game following some poor defending with a goal on 33 minutes. Their continued pressure continued into the second half as they scored twice to take the lead in the game by the 68th minute.

Just when it looked like the youngsters were heading out of the competition young Larne based forward Ross Nelson popped up with a superb volley out of no-where after 77 minutes to bring the scores level.

Parity lasted less than sixty seconds though as Dergview went straight from the restart and a tame effort was inexplicably fumbled by goalkeeper Mark Maybin into his own goal. The visitors added two more to their tally in the last ten minutes to create a one-sided scoreline which didn't reflect the course of the game.

Dergview therefore progress to the semi-finals of the highly competitive tournament alongside Donegal Celtic, Loughgall and Limavady United or Carrick Rangers.

Meanwhile Ballymena United Reserves will be back in action on Tuesday night against Dungannon Swifts Reserves at the Showgrounds in a match expected to draw a bigger than usual attendance due to the supporter boycott of the first-team game at Stangmore Park on the same evening.

Ballymena United Reserves: Mark Maybin, Chris Rodgers (sub Jamie Craig 73), Aaron Lemon, Dermot McVeigh, Joe Morgan, Aaron Atcheson, Paul McNeill, Lee McCaughren, Ross Nelson, Jordan Kenny (c), George Stewart (sub Michael Smith 67).