The visitors might have taken an eary lead when, after just six minutes, Gavin Melaugh lost possession in the home defence to allow Marc McCann to deliver a cross which the in-sliding Gary McCutcheon just failed to make contact with.

As the opening period struggled for any kind of cohesion, it wasn't until the 37th minute that Ballymena had the first real effort of note.

Stuart King's clever step-over took him past the challenge of Michael Collins in midfield and the winger advanced a couple more steps before firing a right-footed shot which keeper David Miskelly diverted onto the base of the post, with Henry McStay completing the clearance.

The Ports continued to possess a clear menace in the second half, but again, without any real end product. From one of these instances, John Convery cleverly chested a Peter Kennedy free-kick into the path of Kevin Braniff but the former Millwall striker's half-volleyed effort was wide of the mark.

As efforts continued to be off target at both ends, Lee Patrick threaded a clever through ball into the path of Mark Picking but as the winger got his shot away, McStay produced a timely intervention at the expense of a fruitless corner.

The opening goal did arrive, however on 72 minutes. Melaugh set off on a mazy run in the middle of the pitch, heading towards the left flank. He then checked and drilled a crossfield left-footed 40-yard pass into Kevin Kelbie's feet in the right hand channel.

The striker came inside onto his left foot and his measured cross was met by the head of Patrick to give Miskelly no chance.