Grant Gardiner celebrates his goal with Jamie McGovern

Michael Halliday set holders Glentoran on the victory trail by heading in after just two minutes at the Oval.

Grant Gardiner made it 2-0 in the 15th minute with a fine 22-yard effort and Darren Boyce shot the third.

Glentoran's Philip Simpson headed into his own net from a Mark Picking cross for the Ballymena goal but Halliday and Boyce each netted again to make it 5-1.

Glens defender Kyle Neill was sent-off for a late tackle on Picking before Paul Leeman netted a superb shot.