Ballymena United see off Glentoran at the Oval

Former Northern Ireland under-21 full-back, Kane, let fly from 30 yards in the last minute to seal all three points and secure their eighth league win in their last 11 visits to the east Belfast venue.

Referee Alan Black was the busiest man of the evening, awarding three penalties. Alan Teggart scored the first for the visitors before Andy Waterworth hit the post from the spot and Jason Hill finally levelled with the third spot-kick of the night.

Then came the Kane goal, worthy of winning any game.

Ballymena opened the scoring on 17 minutes when skipper Allan Jenkins rampaged through the feeble Glens midfield before Jimmy Callacher stretched out a clumsy leg and although the Scottish midfielder took a second before hitting the deck, it was a clear penalty.

Up stepped Teggart, who made no mistake, sending Hogg the wrong way from the penalty spot The Braidmen fully deserved their lead, with new front duo Shane Dolan and Gary Liggett looking lively, and ably assisted by the lively David Cushley.

On 31 minutes, however, Stephen Carson threaded the ball through to Martin Murray. With his back to goal, the young midfielder showed great power to hold off Chris Rodgers until the Sky Blues defender tugged at his shirt and referee Alan Black awarded his second spot-kick of the night.

But there was no such joy for the Glens as top scorer Waterworth sent Dwayne Nelson the wrong way but his strike rebounded off the inside of the post.

Eddie Patterson’s men finally got on level terms on 64 when a superb three-man move involving the hard-working Marcus Kane and Carson resulted in the third penalty of the evening when Nelson rushed off his line to send Waterworth sprawling.

The keeper picked up a booking for his troubles before Hill confidently stroked the ball low, into the corner.

Substitute Alan Davidson stung the hands of Hogg 14 minutes from time and from the resulting counter attack, the Glens should have taken the lead. O’Hanlon rounded Nelson but the midfielder’s weak strike was easily cleared by Ross Black.

There still looked to be a winner in the game with both sides pressing at every opportunity and both sides traded efforts before Kane pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

GLENTORAN: Hogg, Ward, Callacher, Birney (McComb 86), Hill, O’Hanlon, Clarke, Kane (Garrett 86), Murray, Carson (McCullough 88), Waterworth. Subs not used: Nixon, Bradley.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Nelson, Kane, Rodgers, Munster, Black, Thompson, Jenkins, Teggart, Cushley (Davidson 58), Dolan (Duffin 68), Liggett. Subs not used: Vauls, Surgenor, McCabe.

REFEREE: Alan Black (Antrim)