Gordon Simms scored an early goal for Ballymena United

The Sky Blues led early on after Gordon Simms had shot past Stephen Robertson on 16 minutes.

But Ards battled to equalise through a Gary Kennedy penalty after he had been upended by keeper William McFrederick.

Ards looked to have clinched victory with Sean Cleary's 83rd minute header but Smyth saved the day for United.

The result made it four games unbeaten in the league for Ards but bass Shane Reddish will feel a little disappointed after his side took the lead so late in the contest.

The opener from Simms came after Tim McMcCann whipped a cross in and it kept United ahead for 40 minutes when Ards netted their spot-kick.

Cleary then headed the County Down side ahead before Smyth's late leveller from an Oran Kearney cross.

Daily Mirror Irish Premier League
Ballymena United 2-2 Ards

		P	GD	PTS
1	Cliftonville	23	16	43
2	Glentoran	25	9	43
3	Crusaders	26	0	43
4	Linfield	23	20	42
5	Dungannon Swifts	25	3	40
6	Coleraine	23	16	39
7	Portadown	23	16	31
8	Glenavon	24	-10	30
9	Newry	25	-20	27
10	Ballymena	24	-8	26
11	Institute	22	-12	20
12	Lisburn Distillery	23	-32	14