Barry Holland is tackled by Philip Carson at the Ballymena Showgrounds

Liam Boyce got Cliftonville's season off to the perfect start with a 13th-minute winner at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Boyce fired a right-foot effort across goal and into the net after good work by Chris Scannell and Kieran O'Connor.

Boyce went close to scoring his second while at the other end John Connolly denied Nathan McConnell and Darren Lockhart had a thunderous shot blocked.

After the break Michael Smith fired over, Connolly saved from David Cushley and Paul McNeill also had a chance.

McNeill's effort was cleared off the line.

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