Ballymena United beat Carrick Rangers in Northern Ireland League Cup final

Ballymena United won the Northern Ireland League Cup for the first time after beating Carrick Rangers 2-0 in the final at Seaview on Saturday.

The 2015 runners-up took the lead through Allan Jenkins' goal just before half-time.

Adam Salley and Nathan McConnell went close to late equalisers for Carrick before Conor McCloskey fired in from the right side of the box in injury time to secure victory.

It was the first time the two sides had met in a domestic final since the 1984 Irish Cup final, which Ballymena won 4-1.

While the scoreline on this occasion was closer, Ballymena could have won by a greater margin.

Midfielder Tony Kane started for Ballymena while goalkeeper Brian Neeson was named in Carrick's XI after a late fitness test.

It was Ballymena who had the better of the first half, with Jenkins heading over from Leroy Millar's cross and Johnny McMurray twice going close.

Carrick's best chance came midway through the half when TJ Murray missed the target from close range.

The breakthrough arrived before half-time when Jenkins finished into the bottom corner from Willie Faulkner's cross.

Ballymena could have extended their advantage as McMurray fired over the bar and then Caolan Loughran headed off target.

Carrick keeper Brian Neeson saved from Kane before Jenkins missed a brilliant chance to double the advantage, failing to finish from inside the six-yard box.

It could have been costly had Salley not headed on to the roof of the net from 12 yards out.

Ross Glendinning then tipped an effort past the post before McCloskey made sure of victory in injury-time, rifling a shot into the far corner.