A frantic opening period comes to an end at the Showgrounds with Ballymena two goals in front.

Given some of the untidy defending we've seen in the first half, there may well be more goals to follow.

Ballymena are 45 minutes away from goaling top of the Irish Premiership.

Ahu Obhakhan bundles the ball over the line to open the scoring for the Ports.

The question is, should he have been on the pitch to score it?

Andy Scott's close-range finish sees the Sky Blues go 3-1 up at the Showgrounds.

Len O'Sullivan is the second Glenavon player to be booked for a trip on Ahu Obhakhan.

Dylan Boyle equalises for Coleraine with a low strike into the bottom corner.

Sean Stewart latches onto Rory Hale's pass before unleashing a thunderbolt from outside the box.

The defender's effort looks goal-bound, but Luke McCullough throws himself in the way, deflecting Stewart's effort out for a corner.

Brave defending from the former Glentoran man.

Two minutes added time to be played.

We're into three minutes of additional time at the end of the first half.

Jamie McGonigle's strike from range is deflected by Jonny Tuffey before the Crusaders stopper gathers the ball.

Since their goal, Coleraine have been dominating proceedings here.

Kurtis Forsythe's enthusiasm gets the better of him as he lunges into a sliding challenge on Sean Stewart just outside the penalty area.

The Carrick man's timing is as off, and referee Mark Dillon reaches for his pocket for the first caution of the afternoon.

Lewis Francis' header from a Tiernan Kelly cross is well held by Sean O'Neill as Loughgall attempt to reduce the deficit before the interval.

Niall Quinn goes into referee Steven Gregg's notebook after pulling back Lee Chapman as the Portadown midfielder looks to set up an attack.

Kyle Cherry's corner arcs into the danger zone for Cameron Stewart, but the defender cannot direct the ball goalward to let Jim Magilton's side off the hook.

Jay Boyd hits the bottom corner to make it 2-1 at the Showgrounds.

Timing is everything.

Ahu Obhakhan, whose goal has Portadown in front, was, it appears, about to be replaced by Paul McElroy - just as he found the net.

McElroy, already stripped and standing on the touchline, is forced to sit back down again among the subs.

Still, I'm sure he won't mind too much with his team leading.

Connor Murray cleverly plays the ball across to Jamie Glackin who, central and unmarked, fires off target.

There were cries of "wheyyy'" from the home supporters as the strike went wide.

Paul Heatley is enjoying himself out there as he continues to torment the Cliftonville defence.

Heatley loops the ball over Shaun Leppard, leaving the defender grasping at thin air.

With just David Odumosu to beat, Heatley pulls the trigger, but his shot lacks direction, allowing Odumosu to parry and then pounce on the rebound.

Kym Nelson makes it 2-0 to United with a near-post header.

Here is how Danny Gibson opened the scoring for Carrick Rangers against Cliftonville with a low finish.