Jonny Steele scored the winning goal for Ballymena

Steele poked the ball over the line after Vinny Sweeney's cross led to a goalmouth scramble on 50 minutes.

In the first half Gary Haveron, Steele and Kevin Kelbie went close for United while Bertie Fulton shot wide and Mark Dickson headed over for the visitors.

Gary McCutcheon had an effort saved by McFrederick and in the second half Dickson rattled a post and David Wright should have equalised after 87 minutes.

Gary Smyth and Haveron both headed over for Ballymena in an entertaining second half while McCutcheon had a late claim for a penalty waved aside.