 Gordon Simms scored an early goal for Ballymena United |
A Gary Smyth header two minutes from time rescued a point for Ballymena United and gave them their third successive home draw in the league. 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
Crusaders 0-0 Lisburn Distillery Dungannon Swifts 3-1 Cliftonville Glentoran 2-0 Institute Omagh Town 1-8 Linfield Portadown 0-1 Limavady United

| 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 |
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