It's a rare off-day for Dungannon, who never really recovered from the double-whammy of that early red card for goalkeeper Declan Dunne, compounded almost immediately by Patrick McEleney giving Ballymena the lead from the resultant free kick.

Larne go third with victory at Loughgall while Ballymena United beat Dungannon Swifts, Coleraine edge Glenavon and Portadown defeat Carrick Rangers.

Coleraine picked up their first win at Mourneview Park in six years as super-sub Declan McManus netted a sublime free-kick to make it three victories in a row for the Bannsiders.

Coleraine moved to within a point of opponents Portadown following a comfortable 2-0 win at the Showgrounds. Goals from Ronan Doherty and Jamie Glackin secured a second successive victory for the Bannsiders. The home side hit the front after just 11 minutes through Doherty's first goal for the club since his January switch from Cliftonville.