Linfield 2, Ballymena United 1

Ballymena United defender Johnny Taylor challenges Linfield's Peter Thompson during today's Danske Bank Premiership game at Windsor Park. Picture: Press Eye.

Ballymena United’s miserable league record at Windsor Park continued as they were beaten by Linfield.

David Cushley’s spectacular long-range strike had raised hopes of a first Ballymena win in the championship for more than a decade before title-chasing Linfield battled back to win through goals from Grant McCann and Ross Clarke.

Manager Glenn Ferguson handed a debut to midweek signing Paddy McNally in the centre of defence, while Alan Teggart and Cushley came back into the starting line-up, along with Gary McCutcheon, who had been cup-tied for the previous week’s League Cup final defeat by Cliftonville.

Straight from kick-off, David Cushley’s through ball almost caught Linfield’s Glen Belezika napping but as Ally Teggart nipped in in front of him, the defender recovered quickly to clear the danger.

At the other end, Andy Waterworth’s cross from the left was met with a poor clearance by Stephen McBride straight to Peter Thompson inside the box, but the left-back threw himself in front of the ball enough to rush the former Northern Ireland striker into firing his shot over the bar when well placed.

United almost punished some Linfield sloppiness on three minutes when Ross Glendinning’s casual attempt to chip the ball over the in-rushing Matthew Tipton from a back pass but the attempted cannoned off the striker’s back straight into the arms of the relieved Linfield keeper.