The opening minutes offered a hint of the excitement that lay in store with Gary Haveron forcing a save from Davy O'Hare at a free kick, while at the other end, Paul Murphy produced an amazing reflex save to prevent full-back Craig McClean's miscued clearance from ending up in his own net.

From there, however, Coleraine took total control and Murphy produced another fine save from Damien Whitehead before Ryan McLaughlin volleyed the rebound wide.

But United's respite was short-lived as the visitors moved in front on 10 minutes. When a corner wasn't cleared, Stephen Carson played the ball into the feet of David Patton and the big striker flicked the ball across goal where Whitehead bundled the ball home under pressure from Darren Murphy.

It got worse for the home side four minutes later as Coleraine doubled their advantage following a rapid counter-attack. McLaughlin brought the ball out of defence and fed it to Patton just over the halfway line. The striker's first-time through ball didn't appear to carry much threat but Ballymena captain Albert Watson missed a routine clearance and the ball carried on into the path of Whitehead who came back inside onto his favoured right foot and curled a measured effort past Murphy.

Ballymena's response came inside the opening 15 minutes of the second period as Mark Picking collected the ball near the right hand side of the area and surged into the penalty box before firing home a cross-shot through a ruck of players.

Then substitute Stuart King sent a wonderful cross onto the head of Kevin Kelbie, whose header was blocked by the imposing figure of the out-rushing O'Hare.

Ballymena had more success, however, from King's next delivery. The winger's outswinging corner was met by a brilliant header from Fitzgerald which O'Hare superbly tipped onto the underside of the bar but Patrick followed up to head home at the second attempt after his initial effort had hit the post.