Davy Patton salvaged a point for Coleraine

In the first half Stephen Carson and Damien Whitehead had Coleraine chances while Simon Kelly, Kevin Kelbie and Gavin Melaugh went close for Ballymena.

After the break Davy O'Hare saved from Gary Haveron, John O'Neill cleared off the line and Carson had an opportunity.

Substitute Davy Patton took advantage of poor defending to score after 73.

It was Patton's third goal of the season for the Bannsiders.

Carson was off-target with an early free-kick, Whitehead saw his shot blocked, Kelly was well wide with a long-range effort and Kelbie shot wide.

Carson's looping header was easily saved by Paul Murphy, Johnny Flynn produced a fine tackle to deny Tommy McCallion a shooting opportunity and O'Hare then produced a fine stop from Melaugh.

King's attempt was cleared off the line by Neill in the second half and Craig McClean's tackle denied Carson as he was about to pull the trigger, before those two late goals.