Ballymena United set up an Irish Cup semi-final date with Portadown on Tuesday night as they overcame Glenavon by a 2-0 scoreline.
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Ballymena Utd 2 - 0 Glenavon
Second-half goals from Andy Smith and Noel Anderson sent the Braidmen through after a tight replay at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
Chances were few and far between in the first 45-minutes with neither side able to force their way through the opposition's back-line. For Ballymena, Kevin Kelbie shot over and Lee Colligan had penalty claims turned down after being sliced down by Mark Haughey. Referee Davy Malcolm said that the defender got a piece of the ball, and waved play on.
At the other end, Glenavon enjoyed the majority of the play but couldn't force a route to goal.
Trevor Molloy's 20-yard effort was easily saved and two Gary Liggett headers fell wide of goal leaving the sides level at half-time.
Shortly after the break Willo McDonagh missed a gilt-edged chance for the away side when Stuart King's deflected shot fell for the midfielder six yards out but he scuffed his effort wide of a gaping goal.
However, Ballymena soon went up the other end of the pitch and after Michael Smith's close range effort was well saved by Andrew Plummer, Andy Smith opened the scoring.
The former Glenavon striker went past Jay Magee, played a one-two with strike partner, Kevin Kelbie, and fired a low 25-yard effort into the bottom corner.
Glenavon's danger man, James Costello had a great chance to level the scores just 10 minutes later but he nodded his close range header just wide of goal.
Substitute striker, Shea Campbell was then denied an even better chance for Glenavon from six yards out when he controlled Eamon Murray's low effort and forced a fantastic save from Nelson as his goal-bound shot was tipped round the post by the Ballymena goalkeeper.
Ballymena wasted no time in punishing Gleavon's missed opportunities when substitute Noel Anderson strode toward goal from the centre-circle and, with the Glenavon defence backing off, unleashed a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to put the Braidmen into the semi-final of the Irish Cup.
GLENAVON: Plummer, Haughey, Magee, Gracey, Carvill (Campbell 78), Molloy, McDonagh, Johnston, King, Costello, Liggett (Murray 72)
UNUSED SUBS: Turkington. Murray, Harper, Finlay
BALLYMENA UNITED: Nelson, Ramsey, Stewart, Haveron, Surgenor, Watson, M Smith, Taggart (Anderson 83), A Smith, Keblie, Colligan
SUBS: McConnell, Cushley, McNeill, O'Neill
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