Irish Premiership: Ballymena Utd 1-3 Glentoran
Last updated on .From the section Football
Glentoran maintained their push for a European place with this victory over Ballymena at the Showgrounds.
Steven Gordon headed the Glens in front after 10 minutes and it was quickly 2-0 courtesy of a David Scullion lob.
Glens keeper Elliott Morris kept out a Darren Boyce effort before Tony Kane pulled one back with a sweet strike into the bottom corner.
Curtis Allen wasted a good chance but the striker sealed victory late on by slotting in from a Gordon throughball.
The visitors were two ahead after 12 minutes with Allen providing the flick-on for Gordon to nod home the opener.
Sky Blues keeper Tim Allen got a hand to Scullion's lob but he couldn't prevent it from going in and doubling Glentoran's lead.
Morris made a string a fine saves but Kane found a way through a minute from half-time as he fired in from Stephen McBride's cross.
Allen volleyed wide after good work from Jordan Stewart while Glens midfielder Stephen McAlorum was also off-target after he broke clear.
Gordon's pass sent Allen through with five minutes left and the forward calmly stroked home to secure the points for Eddie Patterson's team.
The in-form Glens have closed the gap to fourth-placed Cliftonville to one point while United are still without a league win since Boxing Day.
"It's a fantastic result - this is always a tough place to play and the main thing was getting the three points," said Glens boss Patterson.
"We started off like a house on fire while the boys stood up well to the physicality of Ballymena in the second half."