Champions Linfield were held to a scoreless draw by Ballymena on the opening day of the Premiership season.

Andy Smith lobbed just over the bar and Alan Blayney saved from Gary McCutcheon while Jamie Mulgrew and Peter Thompson headed over for the Blues.

Ryan Brown saved well from Thompson after the break and then Thompson found the net but referee Raymond Crangle ruled that there had been a foul.

Mulgrew was crowded out late on and Robert Garrett fired wide of the post.

Garrett had also missed the target with a first-half free-kick.

Damian Curran saw his header come off the woodwork in the second period.

Linfield defender Kris Lindsay was stretchered off during the first half.

Prior to the game, the Blues completed the signing of former Hearts defender David Armstrong on a two-year deal.

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