BALLYMENA United Reserves' poor run continued with a disappointing home defeat to Cliftonville Olympic.

The match was a very drab affair played in horrendous windy conditions, both teams didn't show much creativity in the final third of the pitch and most of the game was a midfield battle.

The only highlight of the first half was Michael O'Mullan's 30 yard strike which was tipped over the bar by the Cliftonville keeper in the 43rd minute.

The match was scoreless at the break and the Sky Blues brought on Jamie Davidson to try and liven things up and it almost paid off when he skipped past his marker after a neat one two with Corey Price only to see his first time shot saved by the keeper.

Cliftonville were awarded a corner on the 70th minute and a home player lost his man and that free man punished the United defence with a free header to make the score 1-0.

Five minutes later a Cliftonville Olympic player ran from his own defence skipping past four Ballymena players and rifled a shot from 30 yards which Nelson got his fingers to it only to see it canon off the underside of the bar and in.

This five minute lapse in concentration cost United's Reserves dearly and an big improvement will be required when they head to the Coleraine Showgrounds for their derby fixture next Saturday.

Ballymena United Reserves: Dwayne Nelson, Corey Price, David Reid, Ross Black, Chris Rodgers, John McKee (sub David Chesney 70), Eoin Gillan, Rory Carson, Neil Lowry, Caolan Gillan (sub Jamie Davidson 46), Stephen Quigley (sub Michael O'Mullan 30). Subs (not used): John Rimmer, Daniel Agnew.

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