Kevin's goal-den goodbye at Mourneview

AT the same ground where he scored his first Ballymena United goal, Kevin Kelbie scored what is likely to be his last.

Back in 2005, Kelbie was a relative unknown as he notched the winning goal in a 2-1 win at Glenavon in one of then manager Tommy Wright's first games in charge.

Five years later, his stock has risen massively and he has proved himself to be one of the most sought-after strikers in the league, with 75 goals in those five seasons, in Ballymena teams which never rose above mid-table mediocrity.

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Kelbie's post-match gestures – once again on Saturday he handed his shirt to a Ballymena fan at the final whistle – had been suggestive of a player who will not be back in United colours next season.

His close-range 42nd minute header cancelled out Stuart King's unusual opener for Glenavon but with all three results in the bottom half of the Carling Premiership finishing 1-1, United ended the day where they had began it – in 10th place, an identical finish to last season.

"It's fair enough but not good enough," said Walker afterwards.

"On the face of it, it looks a bit like we've treaded water although I feel progress has been made in some areas and not others which we now have to address."

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Ballymena, as too often this season, failed to start from the opening whistle and found themselves behind within five minutes.

Former United winger Stuart King floated a free kick from the left-hand side towards to Ballymena penalty area. Striker Trevor Molloy tried to glance the ball on but any contact was minimal to say the least and keeper Dwayne Nelson reacted too late to keep the ball out.

"It was a goalkeeping error," said Walker.

"When the ball is hit in from 30 yards out, you don't anticipate someone is going to head it – you follow the flight of the ball and then, if somebody heads it, you react.

"On the second half performance we maybe edged it but probably fair enough overall," added Roy.

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Ballymena came more into the game and drew level three minutes before the interval when Darren Lockhart, in the left hand corner near the bye-line and with two Glenavon defenders somehow – with the aid of a fortunate deflection – wriggled clear and cross for Kelbie to head home from inside the six yard box.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half, Glenavon with an Eamon Murray header from a King cross which clipped the crossbar on its way over.

United almost snatched a win with three minutes left when Mark Surgenor, deployed at right-back after a first half injury to Chris Ramsey, went on a probing 40-yard run which finished with a left foot shot that smacked the Glenavon crossbar – had it gone in, 'Surgy' might well have been asking for a recount in the Goal of the Season award!

As it was, the width of the crossbar denied United a win that would have seen them rise two places and earn 2,000 more in prize money – a final slap in the face for United at the end of a miserable campaign.

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Glenavon: Plummer, Shannon, Davey, Magee, Haughey, Murray (sub Hamill 79), Walsh, Harpur, King, Molloy (sub Liggett 87), Costello. Subs (not used): Murphy, Carville, Gracey.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Ramsey (sub Lockhart 30), Stewart, Haveron, Watson, M Smith (sub Young 90), Muir, Taggart, A Smith (sub McLaughlin 46), Kelbie, Surgenor. Subs (not used): McConnell, Lemon.

Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon).

n Seven Towers Supporters Club extends sympathy to members Maurice Gibson, on the death of his brother Archie, and to Trevor Burns, following the passing of his mother-in-law Nellie Montgomery.