Michael Halliday scored two for Glentoran against Ballymena

Roy Coyle's men had trailed 2-1 at half-time with Nigel Boyd and former Glens forward Darren Fitzgerald on target for Kenny Shiels' Sky Blues.

But goals from Michael Halliday (2), Mark Glendinning and Colin Nixon sealed the Belfast club's win.

They are a point ahead of Portadown and three clear of third-placed Linfield.

Glentoran had gone in front after just four minutes of Tuesday's rearranged fixture.

William McFrederick, back in goals for United, failed to deal with a Chris Morgan cross and Halliday pounced to score from close-range.

Ballymena hit back with Boyd's fine solo goal bringing them level on 12 minutes.

Fitzgerald's fist goal in a Ballymena shirt rocked the Glens a minute before half-time but Glendinning headed an equaliser early in the second half.

Halliday then got on the end of a long Paul Leeman ball for his 23rd goal of the season with a looping header, edging the Belfast club 3-2 ahead.

Nixon headed in from substitute Kevin Keegan's corner 15 minutes from time to give Glentoran a bit of breathing space.