Glentoran stretched their unbeaten run to 16 games but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a stern Ballymena United at the Showgrounds in tonight’s Sports Direct Premiership tie.
Christie Pattisson struck in the second half for the visitors, but Joe Moore grabbed an equaliser for Ballymena United four minutes into stoppage time.
With only five minutes on the clock the home side could have taken the lead but for an excellent intervention from David Gyollai in goal.
Calvin McCurry impressed down the right before he squared for Success Edogun at the near post.
The striker got his shot away, but Glens’ goalkeeper Gyollai reacted superbly to push the ball away from goal.
Glentoran had to wait until almost the half-hour mark before they had their opening opportunity.
Danny Amos took a short free-kick to Joe Thomson but the January signing failed to test Sean O’Neill in the United goal with his effort. Then moments later Jordan Jenkins went even closer.
The Glens’ leading scorer this season, reacted well to a breaking ball in the area before firing a shot on goal forcing goalkeeper O’Neill into a save at full stretch as he tipped the ball onto the post.
Dylan Connolly was lively throughout with some exciting runs down the Glentoran right, but his night was to be ended just before the break with an injury in an evenly matched first period.
Half-Time: Ballymena United 0 – 0 Glentoran

As the second-half began Cameron Palmer almost broke the deadlock for the visitors with a delightful effort from the edge of the area that went just the wrong side of the post.
However, the Belfast faithful did not have to wait long for the opener, as it eventually came on 57 minutes.
The impressive Pattisson got on the end of a long ball from Amos and he coolly slotted home past O’Neill from 12 yards.
On 75 minutes substitute Nathaniel Ferris went close to opening his Glentoran account as he beat Daniel Lafferty in the corner before making his way into the box.
He managed to pass another defender, but his shot was blocked on the United line and forced out for a corner.
Ballymena almost nabbed an equaliser five minutes from time, but that man Jenkins was on hand at the right end of the pitch to hook the ball away off his own line.
However, the leveller would come deep into injury time as Moore struck to deny Declan Devine’s men all three points.
Full-Time: Ballymena United 1 – 1 Glentoran