Linfield 1 Ballinamallard United 3
A late double whammy by Chris Curran and Liam Martin stunned Premier League title holders at Windsor Park.
It was a fairytale result for Whitey Anderson’s team, who were only promoted to the top flight last season.
Curran shot home from 18 yards on 77 minutes to put his team 2-1 in front, firing low past Alan Blayney, then substitute Martin topped a memorable performance by scooping home the third in injury timne
Earlier, Ryan Campbell scored for United after only three minutes. He latched into a clever Andy Crawford cut-back, before providing a clinical finish.
Linfield’s Daryl Fordyce missed a sitter from six yards, while seconds later at the other end, Crawford headed over the crossbar with only Blayney to beat.
McCaul blasted the Blues level six minutes before the break, gobbing up a loose ball following a Niall Quinn free kick, before drilling home a low drive.
Linfield: Blayney, Gault (Browne 77), Murphy, Thompson, Burns (Henderson 67), Fordyce, Ervin, Mulgrew, Watson, McCaul (Carvill 70), Quinn.
Subs: Armstrong, Garrett.
Booked: Gault 59,
Scorer: McCaul 39.
Ballinamallard United: Rouse, McConkey (McKenna 77), Keohane, Stafford, Kee, Curran, Hutchinson, Crawford (Martin 82), McCartney, Campbell (Feeney 74), Hill.
Subs: McGrath, Harper.
Booked: Kee 38, Curran 83.
Scorers: Campbell 3, Curran 77, Martin 91.
Referee; R Dunlop (Carrickfergus).
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