Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey knows work has to be done

A second half penalty from Tony Kane secured the points against the Mallards for David Jeffrey’s side and that result will give them a lift after a 6-0 defeat to Crusaders and a 3-3 draw with Glenavon.

They now host Ards this weekend knowing that this is another tricky tie as they look to get their second league victory of the season.

Ards - managed by Niall Currie - will not be an easy touch as they have won two of their matches and drawn the other one so far this season.

Currie’s side beat Portadown 1-0 on the opening day of the season before seeing off Dungannon Swifts 2-1 and they then had a 2-2 draw with Cliftonville at the weekend.

They will not be coming to the Showgrounds to make up the numbers and Sky Blues manager Jeffrey wants his side to build on the positive start they have made to the new season.

“We are still learning. Twelve players have left the club and we have brought eleven players.

“But this is a complete restructuring and rebuilding job.

“We have done a lot of rebuilding and reorganising behind the scenes in terms of our coaching and scouting staff right down to the academy.

“We are trying to put an infrastructure in place and from there we are trying to get things right on the pitch.

“Against Ballinamallard the players deserved all the credit because they worked very hard and played some decent football and got the three points. But there is still lots of work to do.”