Adam Glenny’s spectacular volley proved the difference as Dungannon Swifts picked up a 2-1 Premiership victory at Ballymena United.

Swifts centre-back Cahal McGinty scored at both ends in the first half – putting his side in front early on before converting Success Edogun’s cross past Declan Dunne.

It was a special strike which secured maximum points for Rodney McAree’s men – Glenny hammering home an effort from range after Ballymena tried to clear their lines.

Here’s the story of the match:

placeholder image — Dungannon's Adam Glenny. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

TEAMS

Ballymena United: Breen, Toure, McCallion, O'Donnell, Nolan, Lafferty, Thompson, Jarvis, Corbally, O'Connor, Edogun.

Subs: O'Neill, Gould, Gawne, O'Reilly, McGeouch, Taylor, Hood.

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Scott, McGinty, Wallace, Glenny, Bigirimana, Kelly, Alves, McAllister, Mitchell, Junior.

Subs: Glass, P Maguire, Knowles, Dillon, T Maguire, Smith, McAleese.

Referee: Tim Marshall

FIRST HALF

4: Dungannon come close to finding an opener as Andrew Mitchell unleashes from the edge of the box – his effort goes narrowly wide of Declan Breen’s post.

8: GOAL – DUNGANNON (CAHAL MCGINTY): Dungannon cause more trouble inside Ballymena’s box from a corner and McGinty is there to tap home from close range. 1-0.

10: Ballymena don’t deal with a bouncing ball on a tricky surface and Junior nips in ahead of the defender. He’s never able to get the space to get a clean shot away and attack ultimately ends with a home goal-kick.

15: Leo Alves whips in a dangerous free-kick – which he won after a foul by David Toure – and Danny Wallace gets first contact, but Ballymena clear their lines.

16: Ballymena go up the other end and have a great chance of their own as Success Edogun shoots straight at Declan Dunne.

17: Penalty appeals from Dungannon for another Toure challenge on Alves – waved away by Tim Marshall.

29: GOAL – BALLYMENA (CAHAL MCGINTY OG): Disaster for Dungannon as Edogun’s powerful cross is turned into his own net by McGinty, who has now scored at both ends. Wasn’t any pressure from Ballymena in the box. 1-1.

32: Ballymena forced into an early change with Dylan McGeouch replacing Zach Nolan.

42: First yellow of the afternoon goes to Steven Scott for bringing down Daire O’Connor, who showed a superb turn of pace.

45: Early change for Dungannon now too as Tiernan Kelly limps off to be replaced by Bobby-Jack McAleese.

HALF TIME: Ballymena United 1 – 1 Dungannon Swifts.

SECOND HALF

52: O’Connor and Edogun link up to create a chance which the latter fires high over the crossbar.

55: What a save from Breen! McAleese’s pinpoint cross finds Adam Glenny in the box and his goalbound header is clawed back by the Ballymena goalkeeper.

57: A huge chance for Dungannon to go back in front as Lafferty’s miscued free-kick goes straight to Junior, who feeds Mitchell with the Swifts star blasting his first-time shot wide.

60: Change for the visitors as Rodney McAree sends on Thomas Maguire in place of Leo Alves.

63: Aaron Jarvis shown yellow for dragging down Maguire.

69: O’Connor slides a pinpoint through ball into Edogun’s path and he draws a smart low save from Dunne. Gael Bigirimana now booked for a poor challenge.

72: Another change for Dungannon with James Knowles replacing Mitchell.

76: GOAL – DUNGANNON (ADAM GLENNY): WHAT A GOAL! Moment of quality in a game which has lacked it at times. A Ballymena clearance drops to the Swifts full-back, who volleys home from distance past a diving Breen. 2-1.

78: Ballymena change with O’Connor replaced by James Hood.

84: Double change for the hosts with Lafferty and Jarvis making way for Jack O’Reilly and David Taylor.

90: Five minutes of added time.

FULL TIME: Ballymena United 1 – 2 Dungannon Swifts.