BALLYMENA UNITED 1 COLERAINE 0
Ballymena United took a massive step towards automatic Europa League qualification with a crucial win over derby rivals Coleraine at the Showgrounds.
Homegrown midfielder Leroy Millar bagged the all important goal just six minutes in as David Jeffrey's men closed in on a first runners-up finish in the league since 1980.
With second place also guaranteeing the riches of Europe - at least £190,000 - the Braidmen boast a five point cushion over third-placed Glenavon with just two games to play.
A draw at home to the Lurgan Blues - who hammered newly-crowned champions Linfield at Windsor Park - on Tuesday night will seal the deal.
Remarkably, this result secured a first top-three finish for the Warden Street club in 38 years, but Jeffrey wants more.
“It has been a phenomenal achievement so far, but we know we still have work to do," he said.
"This game was about dealing with the pressure of expectation and it was really important we got the three points. We've secured a top-three finish which is excellent, but we want to continue aiming higher.
"We need a point for second place but it's still a point. The message is very simple - can we get a result against Glenavon on Tuesday night?
"That's where our focus lies now."
Coleraine - with just one win in their last seven outings in all competitions - were behind early doors when Millar opened the scoring with Ballymena’s 100th goal of the season.
The attacking midfielder, picked out by Tony Kane on the left wing, cut inside onto his right foot to curl a soaring effort over Chris Johns’ head and inside the far post.
It was Millar’s 10th goal of a very productive season at the heart of the United engine room.
Ballymena had Ross Glendinning to thank for their lead at the break after the goalkeeper batted away a Jamie McGonigle piledriver in the 13th minute.
Glendinning also produced a finger tip save to deny McGonigle after the Coleraine striker tried his luck with an audacious dipper from 35 yards out.
Johnny McMurray should have doubled Ballymena’s lead after the break but he blazed over with the goal at his mercy after Andy McGrory’s initial effort was blocked by Johns.
McGrory also headed over from a Kofi Balmer cross before the same player had the ball in the net on 72nd minute only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Tony Kane fizzed narrowly wide via a deflection, Jonny Addis headed over and Adam Lecky was denied at close range as Ballymena pressed for an insurance goal.
It proved elusive but mattered little in the end as Jeffrey’s men celebrated a massive three points in the race for second and automatic European qualification.
Coleraine boss Rodney McAree said: “You're always disappointed to lose a derby game. There weren’t a pile of chances in the game and our quality in the final third probably wasn’t good enough.”
Glenavon conducted their own goal of the season at Windsor Park where stunning strikes from Robert Garrett, Conor McCloskey and Eoin Wearen helped seal a 4-0 win.
Rhys Marshal was also on target as the Lurgan Blues ran riot in South Belfast.
Gary Hamilton’s men, with five wins and a draw in their last six league outings, have muscled their way back into the race for automatic Europe in recent weeks.
Their Windsor rout propelled them up to third in the table, five behind Ballymena and two points above Crusaders who slipped to fourth after a 2-0 defeat to derby rivals Cliftonville at Solitude.
Ryan Curran continued his recent rich vein of form for the Reds with a first half double, slotting home from the penalty spot before rifling home a super second.
TOP SIX RESULTS: Ballymena United 1 Coleraine 0; Cliftonville 2 Crusaders 0; Linfield 0 Glenavon 4.
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