Almost an anxious moment for Ballymena keeper Sean O'Neill as he misjudges the bounce of a long ball forward but, thankfully for the stopper, he is able to recover the situation.

Ballymena force an early corner as Noah Stewart's cross is put behind at full stretch by Shaun Leppard but it comes to nothing.

Matthew Tipton
BBC Sport NI summariser

Referee Evan Boyce blows his whistle to start the action at a showery Brandywell.

Can either of these two sides lay the first blow ahead of Friday night's second leg at Ballymena?

Many Institute supporters still bristle at the circumstances surrounding their controversial relegation from the Premiership during the Covid-affected 2019-20 season.

Now the north west side are potentially 180 minutes away from regaining their place at local football's top table - if they can see off the challenge of Ballymena United.

Institute make two changes from the side which won in injury time at Portadown to set up tonight’s play-off.

Sean Carlin and Oisin Devlin replace Orrin McLaughlin and Tiarnan McKinney, who are named among the substitutes.

Influential defender Shaun Leppard, who went off injured in that game at Shamrock Park, is passed fit to play.

Ballymena boss Jim Ervin reverts to his first choice side after resting the majority of his players for Saturday’s final league game at Dungannon.

Fraser Taylor is the only United player who started that game who starts tonight.

Institute: Doherty, Porter, Lafferty, Leppard, Mullan, Dunne, King, Carlin, Harris, Devlin, Quigley.

Subs: Muldoon, Tweed, McLaughlin, Burke, McGity, McKinney, Boyle.

Ballymena United: O’Neill, Brown, Whiteside, McCallion, McCullough, Boyle, Barr, Gawne, Taylor, McCurry, Stewart.

Subs: Johnston, Rocks, McGrory, McMurray, Place, McAuley, Hood.

Image source, BBC Sport

Watch highlights as Dungannon Swifts prove too strong for Ballymena United, seeing off the Braidmen 3-0 at Stangmore Park.

Good evening and welcome to our coverage of the Irish Premiership promotion/relegation play-off first leg between Institute and Ballymena United at the Brandywell.

Last year, Dungannon Swifts beat Annagh United 3-2 on aggregate to retain their top-flight status. Can Ballymena follow the Swifts or will Institute return to the Premiership for the first time since 2020?

Stute earned this chance in hugely dramatic circumstances, of course. They were fifth in the Championship table heading into the final round of games, but Michael Harris' late winner against table-toppers Portadown coupled with Bangor and Annagh's scoreless draw saw Kevin Deery's side snatch second spot.

This time last year, Ballymena were preparing for the Irish Cup final. This play-off may not carry the same glamour and prestige, but it is hugely important for a club hoping to avoid relegation for the first time since 2001.

Both sides will be keen to get their noses in front ahead of Friday's second leg at the Showgrounds so stick with us for tonight's live stream as well as text updates and in-play clips.