 Cliftonville players congratulate Francis Murphy |
Cliftonville kept their title challenge on track thanks to Francis Murphy's 90th-minute winner, his shot bouncing off a divot and over Paul Murphy. Kevin Kelbie shot home from a Garth Scates corner on five minutes and Paul Murphy saved Davy McAlinden's penalty.
Declan O'Hara headed in on 31 after Stuart King had cleared off the line but Mark Holland slid the ball home from George McMullan's pass after 57.
Thomas Wray equalised from a corner by King on 72 before the Reds' winner.
Following Kelbie's opener, Murphy saved McAlinden's spot-kick after Albert Watson had brought down Chris Scannell inside the area.
King cleared an O'Hara header off the line and George McMullan saw his shot palmed away by the inspired Murphy in the Ballymena goal.
Soon after, Simon Kelly's header rattled off the post and into the arms of the Reds goalkeeper and then, at the other end, Murphy saved Holland's diving header before O'Hara's leveller.
Murphy saved from another Holland header and denied Francis Murphy on two occasions before the break.
After half-time, Craig McClean blocked Chris Scannell's goalbound effort and then Ronan Scannell made a timely tackle on Davitt Walsh as he closed in on goal.
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