Portadown's Kris Lindsay holds off Mark McDaid's challenge

Vincent Sweeney scored the all-important goal for the Roesiders just four minutes from the end.

It as the first goal Portadown had conceded at home in the league this season and one which United manager Tommy Wright felt his side deserved.

"We played some good football from the very first minute," said Wright.

"I felt we outplayed them in midfield and restricted them to few chances.

"I judge our progress on how we do against the top three times and this is the first time we have beaten Linfield, Glentoran or Portadown since I took over a year ago."

Sweeney's decisive strike finished off a counterattacking move which saw Mark McDaid play the ball down the right to Paul Brown who crossed into the danger area.

Sweeney's first effort was blocked by keeper David Miskelly's legs but the United substitute made no mistake from the rebound.

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