Irish Premiership: Linfield 13 points clear as keeper nets in Glentoran win

At Lakeview Park, Ballymena almost went in front inside the opening 10 minutes when Scott raced clear on the right flank and his low cross was met with a first-time shot by Josh Carson but Loughgall keeper Nathan Gartside made a brilliant instinctive save to divert the ball wide of the post.

Loughgall did take the lead on 14 minutes when Towe travelled a good distance with the ball at his feet and his shot eventually trundled beyond Sean O’Neill into the net.

But Ballymena’s response was instant as Scott took advantage of some hesitation between defender Lewis Francis and Nathan Gartside to cleverly lift the ball over the stranded keeper.

Ballymena went back in front in first-half stoppage time as Gartside made a superb initial block from Kennedy’s header from a Carson corner but McCurry was alert to blast home the rebound.

United extended their lead eight minutes after the restart when Carson provided a lovely back-heel for Kennedy to drill a shot between Gartside’s legs.

But Carson’s afternoon ended abruptly before the hour mark when he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Nathaniel Ferris.

Loughgall reduced the deficit four minutes later when Ballymena defender McCallion, under pressure from Jay Boyd, sliced a clearance into his own net.

Ballymena were reduced to nine men with eight minutes left when Kennedy was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Jamie Rea but Ballymena were able to fend off considerable Loughgall pressure in the closing stages as the home side remained six points adrift at the bottom.