Ballymena comeback stuns Linfield at Showgrounds

Ballymena United came from a goal down to beat Linfield at the Showgrounds. Credit: Presseye

  • Ballymena United 2 - 1 Linfield

Ballymena United came from a goal down to defeat 10-man Linfield 2-1 in their Irish Premiership clash at the Showgrounds on Friday night.

It had all started so well for David Healy’s side with Robbie Garrett firing the visitors into an early lead.

But second half goals by Conor McCloskey and Johnny McMurray gave David Jeffrey’s side the spoils.

The Belfast Blues had to play out the last 13 minutes with 10 men after goal-scorer Garrett picked up a second yellow card.

Garrett’s neat finish after three minutes put Linfield ahead and it was almost 2-0 when Stephen Lowry went for goal, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Willie Faulkner.

Robbie Garrett scored for Linfield in the first half - but was sent off late in the second. Credit: Presseye

The impressive start by the visitors continued with Kirk Millar firing over the bar and then Garrett had a shot saved by Ross Glendinning.

However, it was all to change in the second half - with Linfield left to rue those missed chances.

A long-range effort by McCloskey levelled the scores on 52 minutes and, just eight minutes later, McMurray completed the comeback to put Ballymena ahead.

Linfield piled on the pressure towards the end, with Jordan Stewart and Millar both going close before Garrett's departure.

But Ballymena saw out a tense five minutes of added time to secure all three points.