Cliftonville stage dramatic injury time comeback to win County Antrim Shield

Cliftonville scored twice in injury time to stun Ballymena and win the County Antrim Shield with a 2-1 victory at Windsor Park.

United captain Leroy Millar had put his his side ahead in the 54th minute, and it looked like it was going to be enough to secure the win for David Jeffrey's side.

However, Cliftonville pulled level in the 96th minute through substitute Thomas Maguire, before fellow sub Ryan Curran struck the winner less than a minute later.

The late drama came in huge contrast to a first period of very few chances; Sky Blues striker Adam Leckey saw a close range header deflected wide in the 10th minute, with Cliftonville failing to produce anything of note until the 36th minute.

Conor McMenamin created the best chance of the opening half when he pulled it back for Michael McCrudden, only for the striker's low left-footed shot from 12 yards to be tipped away when it looked certain to find the bottom corner of Jordan William's goal.

Ballyena's Andy McGrory then fired over a 25-yard free kick to bring a dismal first half to an end.

Cliftonville started the second half much more positively, carving out an early opportunity for Ruaidhri Donnelly, but he couldn't find the breakthrough from 10 yards out, and it proved to be costly as Ballymena then broke the deadlock through captain Leroy Millar.

The midfielder found himself unmarked in the 54th minute to steer home McGrory's cross that flew right over the head of Reds keeper Richard Brush.

4 minutes later, Williamson pulled off a smart save to block Joe Gormley's angled shot with his legs as Cliftonville went in search of an immediate equaliser, but they struggled to break down a resilient Ballymena.

United looked certain to claim the Shield until the 4th official signalled for 7 minutes of added time, which proved just about enough for Cliftonville's incredible double to steal a remarkable win.