Unrated Ballymena United have emerged as serious Irish League Premier Division title contenders. The unpretentious Braidmen, a team without star names, rocked the boat with a crushing four-nil triumph over leaders Cliftonville at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

It lifted them into third place, within striking distance of new frontrunners Portadown and manager Alan Fraser predicts: "We have a hardworking team which gets on with the job and is capable of sustaining a challenge".

United powered their way past Cliftonville whose talented young centre forward Jody Toland was sent-off for the second time this season.