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 Ten-man Ballymena United twice came from behind to earn a point from this gripping encounter at The Showgrounds.

Glentoran needed just five minutes to open the scoring after Fra McCaffrey successfully converted from the spot into the top right corner following an Allan Jenkins foul on David Scullion for which the United skipper received a straight red card.

The Glens looked to make their numerical advantage count with David Howland coming closest when he was denied by a goalline Aaron Stewart clearance.

The Sky Blues levelled on 33 minutes when Darren Boyce finished with a delightful volley after Johnny Taylor lifted the ball over the defence.

And they might have moved in front a few minutes later when Calum Birney conceded a penalty for handball only for the normally deadly Ally Teggart to see his tame penalty easily turned behind by Aaron Hogg.

Matt Tipton had two efforts early in the second half to put Ballymena in front when he snatched at a Taylor cross, sending it wide from the edge of the area while a later attempt went over.

The Glens thought they had regained the lead with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Curtis Allen headed home from a corner only for referee Hunter to rule the goal out.

Allen did have a hand in what appeared to be the winner three minutes from time when his header was poked over the line by Jordan Stewart at the back post.

But the dogged Sky Blues had other ideas when, as late as the fourth minute of stoppage time, substitute Gary Thompson rifled the ball into the net after a Mark Surgenor effort had been blocked.

Ballymena United: Nelson, McCullagh, Stewart, Taylor, McBride, Gawley, Taggart, Jenkins, Teggart, Tipton, Boyce subs T. Kane (replaced Taggart 81), Ruddy (not used), Thompson (replaced Gawley 65), Surgenor (replaced Tipton 75), McVey (not used)

Glentoran: Hogg, Kane, McCaffrey, Birney, Scullion, Henderson, McAlorum, Howland, Addis, McKee, Holland subs Garrett (not used), Allen (replaced Holland 55), Stewart (replaced McKee 65), O'Hanlon (replaced McCaffrey 70), Gordon (not used)

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 1377