Glentoran 1-1 Ballymena Utd
Nothing could separate Glentoran and Ballymena at the Oval as the 2 sides played out a scrappy 1-1 draw in the Danske Bank Premiership.
Glens captain Marcus Kane had the first opportunity of the night as he met a James Knowles free kick in the 4th minute with a diving header which was easily gathered by Ross Glendinning.
However, in the 14th minute Kane had a greater influence at the other end of the pitch, although it proved to be detrimental to his side.
Ballymena midfielder Gary Thompson showed clever feet to work his way into the Glentoran box only to be tripped by Kane, who had lunged in with a badly mistimed tackle.
It allowed Cathair Friel to open the scoring from the penalty spot, confidently sending Elliott Morris the wrong way.
Glentoran had a couple of chances towards the end of the first half, the first of which fell to Curtis Allen. His 34th minute snapshot was deflected behind, and Robbie McDaid headed wide from the following corner.
A few minutes later Ross Redman got across to deflect an effort inside the box from Ballymena's Jonny McMurray, but it wasn't enough to deceive Morris who saved with his feet.
The visitors then squandered a great chance on the counter when Stephen McCullough broke before passing to Friel, when he perhaps had better options down the opposite flank.
Ballymena wasted an even better chance on the cusp of half time after an impressive surge down the right by McMurray. He squared it to Conor McCloskey who was in acres of space - but his touch was heavy, and he was closed down by Morris before he could shoot.
Glens boss Gary Haveron made a change at the break, replacing McDaid and throwing on Dylan Davidson as he tried to find a more cohesive attacking rhythm.
10 minutes into the 2nd half, it proved to be the correct decision, as Davidson's driven cross from the left led to the equaliser.
The substitute did well to hold off Jim Ervin before hammering a low ball into the box which Glendinning could only spill into the path of Knowles, who powered home from 8 yards.
Glens goalkeeper Morris pulled off a smart save on 59 to keep things level, getting down quickly to get a strong hand behind an angled drive from Friel.
Curtis Allen then found himself clear on goal in the 73rd minute after being sent through by a Kane pass, but his left footed shot sailed over.
The Glens striker's frustrating night continued as he was booked for diving inside the box in the 89th minute, taking a tumble after a challenge by Glendinning.
Neither side could find the quality to get a winner as the game petered out and the points were shared.