Irish Premiership: Ballymena Utd 2-0 Ballinamallard Utd

Ballymena chalked up their fourth straight win with a comfortable 2-0 league victory over Ballinamallard.

The Co Fermanagh visitors went closest in the first half at the Showgrounds when Richard Lecky hit the woodwork.

Mark Surgenor slotted in from Aaron Stewart's cross to put United ahead before Mallards keeper Alvin Rouse saved David Cushley's penalty.

Cushley made amends by setting up the second goal, his corner on 75 minutes smashed home by Shane Dolan.

The Sky Blues leapfrogged Ballinamallard into eighth as they maintained their winning run.

Dwayne McManus also threatened for the Mallards in the first half while Dolan was off-target with a header before the break.

Allan Jenkins beat Rouse to the high ball from Stewart's cross and Surgenor netted from the loose ball on the hour mark.

Rouse fouled Jenkins for the penalty seven minutes later but he went on to keep out Cushley's spot-kick before Dolan made the points safe for United.

"Our second half performance was really good and we are pleased with how things are going," said Ballymena assistant boss Lee Doherty.

"We didn't play as well as we can and it was good to get the second goal to kill the game off."