Linfield were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Ballymena United at the Ballymena Showgrounds last night… but it could have been worse had it not been for stand-in captain Kyle McClean’s last-gasp goal in the 100th minute.

Coming off the back of a disappointing Irish Cup R6 loss to rivals Glentoran last week, the Blues were without star man Joel Cooper who was serving the first of his three-match ban, whilst Chris Shields was serving a one-match ban – both players paying the price for their dismissals in extra time last week. On the other hand, Sam Roscoe returned from injury, and Matthew Fitzpatrick returned from suspension, after both players missed the match at The Oval.

Ballymena United, meanwhile, had a freshness and a positivity about them despite their recent struggling form. This was mostly due to their influx of January signings, with several debuts handed out. Their starting eleven featured five January signings.

One thing not so fresh about the hosts was their playing surface which was difficult for both teams. Troublesome bobbles and players slipping occurred throughout the match, although the BBC will be glad the teams still managed to serve up an entertaining match for their live broadcast camera crew.

The Blues started brightly and with intent, getting some joy down the right side in the opening minutes, with Kyle McClean’s cross being turned wide by Ben Hall after Cameron Ballantyne had released his midfield partner.

David Healy’s team then took the lead in the 12th minute. The goal was something of a gift as United debutant Duncan Idehen misplaced a square pass, which Matthew Fitzpatrick alertly latched onto before producing a clever, measured left-foot finish beyond Sean O’Neill.

Linfield continued to search for a second goal for the next 15 minutes or so. Kieran Offord went close three times in a short space of time, firing just wide of the upright, then being denied by a save from a tight angle after showing great pace to beat Loughran, before then seeing a driven shot towards the far corner cleared on the face of goal by Stephen O’Donnell.

The Blues were also a whisker away from equalising through Ben Hall as the central defender got great leap and purchase on a header from Kyle McClean’s corner, and was unfortunate to see it come back off the crossbar.

Ballymena United then equalised against the run of play. Linfield will be disappointed to have conceded from their own corner, but from a United viewpoint it was a well-worked

counter-attacking goal, as Andy Scott drive forward and found Corbally who slipped it on for Donal Rocks who slotted the ball in through the legs of David Walsh.

United grew in confidence and looked the more likely to score for the remainder of the half. They really ought to have scored on two further occasions, on 30 and 35 minutes. Firstly, impressive debutant striker Success Edogun fizzed in a pinpoint cross which Daniel Lafferty will have been disappointed to have header over at close range. Then, Donal Rocks fired wide from a similar move and position to the one he scored from ten minutes prior.

The Sky Blues went close again a minute before the break as central defender Duncan Idehen almost atoned for his earlier error as he drew a good save from David Walsh after he got his head on a corner. The Blues were probably glad to hear the half-time whistle.

HT: Ballymena United 1-1 Linfield

The second half was a quieter affair by way of chances, however Linfield went agonisingly close to scoring three minutes after the break as McClean’s cross found East at the back post as his effort was deflected into the path of Chris McKee whose left-footed shot was deflected just wide of the far post.

On 61 minutes, David Healy turned to his bench, welcoming Jamie Mulgrew back from injury alongside handing a debut to Scottish attacker Callumn Morrison who signed from Falkirk on deadline day. Ethan McGee and Cameron Ballantyne made way, with Morrison going to wing-back. Although difficult to make an impact as a technical player on a difficult surface, Morrison’s directness was evident.

A few minutes after the substitutions, Linfield threatened as Morrison found McClean down the right and his crosses was received by Euan East at the back post, where the defender checked in onto his right foot before drawing a good save from goalkeeper Sean O’Neill who did well, especially when managing to prevent Offord getting in on the rebound.

On 76 minutes, Ballymena United striker Jonathan McMurray suffered what appeared to be a serious injury, sustained in the process of making a foul on Jamie Mulgrew. McMurray had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes and had to be stretchered off.

The Blues then couldn’t believe they didn’t take the lead on two occasions in the 83rd minute, going close from two corners. The first evaded the grasp of the goalkeeper and struck a defender, before trickling agonisingly wide of the post. From the following corner, Sam Roscoe got good connection on a header but was denied by an excellent save as Sean O’Neill tipped it onto the crossbar.

The match then broke into a frantic finale. A minimum of ten additional minutes were added, about half of which stemmed from McMurray’s injury. A minute into additional time,

Ballymena United took the lead. The Blues had overcommitted which allowed United to break through on the counter. McKee chased Scott back but couldn’t quite make up the ground and ultimately conceded a penalty when he eventually put in a challenge. Patrick McEleney scored the penalty, tucking it into the bottom right corner and Walsh guessed the opposite way.

The only good thing for Linfield was they still had about eight minutes to find a response, and they almost responded instantly as Kieran Offord’s shot from the edge of the box drew another good save from O’Neill.

The Blues kept going and got their reward right at the death, bang on 100 minutes as Kieran Offord slipped the ball to Kyle McClean inside the box and he finished clinically into the roof of the net.

Only time will tell whether this was a point gained or two dropped for Linfield, but it will feel like a defeat for the home team who put everything into it and were so close to a big win against the odds.

The Blues now have a crunch clash against current champions Larne to look forward to at Windsor Park on Tuesday evening, for which a more polished performance will be required.

FT: Ballymena United 2-2 Linfield.