Two David Ogilby penalties were not enough for Institute to secure maximum points against a battling Ballymena United side.
Ballymena United 2 - 2 Institute
The visitors got off the perfect start when they broke the deadlock after just seven minutes thanks to some good work from Michael Smith.
A fantastic cross field pass by new signing Gary Muir's caught out Eamonn Seydak to find Smith who cut back inside the full-back before firing goal wards with his weaker left foot, that effort was blocked by David Ogilby but the alert Darren Lockhart was on hand to turn home the loose ball from close range.
Institute levelled things four minutes later from the penalty spot after striker Joe McCready was pushed inside the area by Albert Watson and Ogilby fired home into Dwayne Nelson's bottom left corner.
The home side were awarded the second spot-kick of the match on 19 minutes this time after Lee Colligan handled inside the area and referee Raymond Hetherington pointed to the spot again and Ogilby duly converted again firing into Nelson's left hand corner.
Just before the break United should have equalised when Smith's through reacheed Mark Surgenor, but with only Gavin Cullen to beat the striker's shot from the edge of the box was well kept out by the out-rushing keeper.
Roy Walker's side did level things in the 47th minute in rather fortunate circumstances, when debut boy Muir 20 yard free-kick took a massive deflection on it's way past a stranded Cullen.
Soon after Ballymena substitute David Cushley's long range effort was superbly tipped over by Cullen.
Teenager McCready was denied his first senior goal for his home time club, when he latched onto Declan Divin's through ball, before skipped away from Albert Watson, but his goal bound shot from 12 yards was blocked by Aaron Stewart.
Just after the hour mark a Shaun Holmes' thunder bolt was parried away by Nelson and fortunately for the keeper Divin was unable to get to the loose ball.
The home side were rightfully reduced to ten men on 73 minutes when centre-back Paddy McLaughlin was shown a second yellow card followed by a red after pulling down substitute Nathan McConnell.
Ten minutes from time a Muir free-kick found Stewart totally unmarked but the centre-back headed over from close range.
Institute: Cullen, Wray, McLaughlin, Ogilby, Seydak; Shields, Boyle, McClean, Holmes; Divin, McCready. Subs: Semple for Wray (70); Crown for McCready (75); Lowry for Shields (79).
Ballymena United: Nelson, Aid Watson, Colligan, Haveron, Alb Watson, Stewart, Muir, Smith, Surgenor, Kelbie, Lockhart. Subs: Cushley for Watson (48); McConnell for Lockhart (70).
Referee: Mr Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon).
© UTV News